International Prize for Arabic Fiction
1 appearances
-
Edition 17 (2024) Winner
Basem Khandakji
バセム・ハンダクジ
Basem Khandakji
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1983-12-22 （Palestine）
- Nationality
- Palestine
- Languages
- Arabic
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Journalist, Prisoner
- Active Years
- 2000-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An-Najah National University | Faculty of Journalism and Media | Department of Journalism | — | — | Palestine |
| Al-Quds University | Faculty of Political Science (studied while imprisoned) | Department of Political Science | — | — | Palestine |
An-Najah National University
Faculty of Journalism and Media
/ Department of Journalism
Country:
Palestine
Studied before imprisonment; details incomplete.
Al-Quds University
Faculty of Political Science (studied while imprisoned)
/ Department of Political Science
Country:
Palestine
Studied during imprisonment and wrote a thesis on Israeli studies.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | International Prize for Arabic Fiction (Arabic Booker Prize) | A Mask, the Colour of the Sky | — | International Prize for Arabic Fiction | 受賞 |
International Prize for Arabic Fiction (Arabic Booker Prize)
2024
Work:
A Mask, the Colour of the Sky
Organization:
International Prize for Arabic Fiction
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Rituals of the First Time
2010 PoetryA poetry collection themed on youth and beginnings; precedes his prominent prison-writing.
beginningsyouth
The Breath of a Nocturnal Poem
2013 PoetryA poetry collection exploring night, solitude and introspection; includes poems reflecting prison life.
solitudenightintrospection
The Narcissus of Isolation
2017 PoetryA poetry collection on isolation and loss, interweaving Palestinian realities and personal anguish.
isolationlosshomeland
The Eclipse of Badr al-Din
2019 Historical novelA historical novel depicting the Sufi hero Badr al-Din, illuminating an era through the figure of a spiritual leader.
historySufismheroism
The Breath of a Woman Let Down
2020 NovelA novel about relationships and betrayal, portraying social conditions through personal narratives.
betrayalrelationshipssociety
A Mask, the Colour of the Sky
2024 NovelWritten while incarcerated, this novel addresses individual and state, freedom and oppression; winner of the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
freedom and oppressionprison experiencePalestinian issues
Bibliography
- Rituals of the First Time (poetry), 2010
- The Breath of a Nocturnal Poem (poetry), 2013
- The Narcissus of Isolation (poetry), 2017
- The Eclipse of Badr al-Din (novel), 2019
- The Breath of a Woman Let Down (novel), 2020
- A Mask, the Colour of the Sky (novel), 2024
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Realist yet poetic style portraying oppression and resistanceIntrospective and symbolic expressions shaped by imprisonment
- Recurring Motifs
- prison lifehomeland and lossfaith and spirituality
Legacy
Khandakji continued to write while incarcerated and is regarded as a leading voice in prison literature. His 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction win brought him international attention.
Trivia
- Arrested on November 2, 2004 and later sentenced (including life sentences) on June 7, 2005.
- Has written and published several novels, poetry collections and studies while imprisoned.
- Won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (Arabic Booker Prize) in 2024.