Katara Prize for Arabic Novel
1 appearances
-
Edition 6 (2020) Winner
Fathia Debech
ファティーヤ・デベシュ
Fathia Debech
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1969-01-01 （Marth, Tunisia）
- Nationality
- Tunisian
- Languages
- Arabic
- Residence History
- Tunisia (birth and early life) → Resident in France (moved in 1997)
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Poet, Literary critic, Teacher
- Active Years
- 2005-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Literature | Arabic Language and Literature | 修士（アラブ語文学） | 1997–不明 | France |
—
Literature
/ Arabic Language and Literature
Degree:
修士（アラブ語文学）
Period:
1997–不明
Country:
France
Obtained a master's degree in Arabic language and literature in France. Also holds certificates in childhood education and kindergarten management from French institutes.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Kelibia Young Writers Forum Prize | — | — | Kelibia Young Writers Forum | 受賞 |
| 2020 | Katara Prize for Arabic Novel | Melanin (ميلانين) | 出版部門（小説） | Katara Cultural Forum | 受賞 |
Kelibia Young Writers Forum Prize
1996
Organization:
Kelibia Young Writers Forum
Result:
受賞
Katara Prize for Arabic Novel
2020
Work:
Melanin (ميلانين)
Category:
出版部門（小説）
Organization:
Katara Cultural Forum
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Dance of Fire (رقصة النار)
2017 Short story collectionA collection of very short stories focusing on human suffering, everyday pains and condensed narratives addressing social issues.
human sufferingsocial issues
Silence of the Bells (صمت النواقيس)
2018 Short stories / hybrid narrativeA hybrid narrative short-story collection that tackles silence and pain, addressing social and personal traumas.
silencetraumasocial oppression
Trills of Stories (ترانيم القصص)
2018 Very short stories (anthology contribution)A contribution to an anthology of very short stories by multiple authors, showcasing the author's minimalistic narrative approach.
concisenessconcentrated humanity
Melanin (ميلانين)
2019 Novel 166 pagesThe novel follows Anissa Azzouz, a Black Tunisian journalist, through her daily life and inner journey. The author explores migration, identity, discrimination and the marginalization of women in a poetic narrative. The story moves between Tunisia and Paris as the protagonist confronts exile and seeks self-understanding.
migrationracismidentitymarginalization of womeninner quest
Bibliography
- Dance of Fire (رقصة النار)
- Silence of the Bells (صمت النواقيس)
- Trills of Stories (ترانيم القصص)
- Melanin (ميلانين)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- poetic and symbolic narrationfragmented / hybrid structuressocially grounded depiction
- Recurring Motifs
- migration and bordersBlack women's perspectivesilence vs. voicefractured identity
Legacy
Fathia Debech rose to prominence mainly after her 2019 novel Melanin. Her work addressing migration, identity, race and gender has sparked discussion and contributed to debates on diversity and inclusion in the Arab world.
Quotes
-
"When I received the news of the prize, I let my madness take over my body. When I calmed down I opened my heart, sighed and said: 'I did it.'"
Source: Post-award interviews / media reports (2020)
Trivia
- Her 2019 novel Melanin won the Katara Prize (published novels category) in 2020.
- Moved to France in 1997 and obtained a master's degree and certificates related to childhood education there.