Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature
なぎーぶ・まふふーずぶんがくめだる
Established in 1996, this annual award presented by the American University in Cairo Press (AUC Press) honors the best contemporary Arabic-language novel not yet available in English translation. The winner receives a cash prize of US$5,000 and English translation and publication of their work, awarded each December 11 on the birthday of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz.
- Established
- 1996
- Organizer
- American University in Cairo Press (AUC Press)
- Category
- Research, Translation, and Scholarship
- Selection Method
- Selection
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- Annual
- Application Deadline
- around December
- Announcement Period
- around December
- Status
- Active
Description
The Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature is a literary award given annually to contemporary novels written in Arabic and not yet translated into English. Established in 1996, the winning work is translated into English and published by American University in Cairo Press (AUC Press). The award is announced by the AUC president every December 11, the birthday of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz. In 2011, as a special exception, it was awarded to "the revolutionary creativity of the Egyptian people."
Prize
- Main Prize
- English translation and publication of the winning work by AUC Press, and presentation of the winner's medal
- English translation and publication (AUC Press)
- Medal presentation
- The award announcement is made by the AUC president
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection | AUC Press selection committee (details not publicly available) | — | The winner is announced every December 11 by the president of the American University in Cairo. |
| English translation and publication | AUC Press editorial team | — | The winning work is translated into English and published by AUC Press after winning. |
Criteria
- Must be a contemporary novel written in Arabic
- Not yet translated into English
- Literary value and originality
Related Awards
- International Prize for Arabic Fiction
- AUC Press translation and publication initiatives