Home  |  Log in  |  Contact

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

48 Charles Street,
London W1J 5EN
info@strategicdialogue.org Tel: +44 (0) 20 7493 9333
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7493 4909

International Prize for Arabic Fiction

Announcement of the 2010 winner

2 March 2010
Abu Dhabi

The winner of the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) was announced on the 2 March at a gala award ceremony in Abu Dhabi before an audience of international publishers, critics, writers and journalists.  ‘Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles’ by Abdo Khal is a satirical novel which captures the seductive powers of the palace and tells the agonising story of those who have become enslaved by it, drawn by its promise of glamour.

The Chair of Judges, Taleb Alrefai, commented: “The winning novel is a brilliant exploration of the relationship between the individual and the state. Although only one novel can win the Prize, many exciting and inspiring novels were submitted. The judging panel worked hard in order to consider all this year’s submitted novels, maintaining the established tradition of independence and transparency.”

The shortlisted finalists for the prize each receive $10,000, with the winner receiving an additional $50,000. They can look forward to reaching wider audiences and potentially securing publishing deals – both within the Arab World and internationally.

According to Joumana Haddad, the Administrator of the Prize, “the importance of the IPAF lies not only in its financial value, but in the social and cultural influence it has, the most important aspect of which is supporting high quality Arabic fiction and encouraging both writers and readers to consider writing and reading as vital acts.”

ISD developed the Prize in partnership with the Booker Prize Foundation and the Emirates Foundation and facilitated its establishment as a sustainable and independent initiative. For more on the Prize and previous winners, click here.