The Kuwait-based Al Multaqa Prize for Arabic Short Story has announced the longlist for its seventh edition, coinciding with Kuwait’s celebration as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media, in collaboration with the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Literature.

The Management of the Prize revealed a 10 -book longlist, featuring short-story collections from writers representing seven Arab countries, with Syria contributing the highest number. In its seventh year, the award received 133 short story collections submitted by writers hailing from 18 Arab and foreign countries.

This year’s jury is chaired by Sudanese writer Dr. Amir Tag Elsir and includes Omani writer Dr. Mohammed Al Yahyaei, Saudi writer Dr. Noura Al Qahtani, Egyptian writer and scholar Sherif Al Gayyar, and Kuwaiti writer Dr. Fahad Al Hindal.

The jury evaluated the entries based on its own established criteria, focusing on several key aspects, including the originality of text construction, reflected in the narrative approach adopted by the writer and its suitability for the art of storytelling. The evaluation also considered the creativity of the text, its inspirational power, and the ability to create innovative linguistic structures and formulas.

Additionally, the jury assessed how the artistic vision of the text conveyed human values and employed modern storytelling techniques such as paradox, breaking expectations, and narrative deviation. The story collections were also judged on their ability to simulate reality while offering a sense of local authenticity, balanced with a broader openness to humanistic issues. The narrative space’s distinctiveness and originality were also key factors in their  deliberation.

The longlist writers include Egyptian writer Ahmed Al Khamisi for his story collection “The Swish of Sandals”, released by Keyan Publishing; Tunisian writer Inas Al Abassi for her collection “The Night of Pig Hunt”, published by Mamdouh Adwan Publishing; Syrian writer Khalid Al Shabib for his collection “Sound of Silence” by Mosaic  Studies and Publishing Centre; and Palestinian writer Ziad Khaddash for his collection “The Wounds Point to us” by Mediterranean Publications

Other longlisted writers include Syrian writer Samer Anwar Al Shamali for his collection “City-Cross Rumours” by Kutubna Publishing; Syrian-Kurish writer Abdul Rahman Afif for “Calendar of Dust:Days of Hope” by Ramina Books; and Saudi writer Mohammed Al Rashidi for “The Fourth Sign”. 

The longlist also includes Moroccan writer Mohammed Khalfouf for “Residence in Anxiety” by Itqan Publishing; Kuwaiti writer Najma Idress for her story collection “Canvah”; and Belgian writer Hoshnak Osi for his collection “A Bullet with a Thousands Eye”.

The jury is set to announce the shortlist on January 15, 2025, with the winner to be revealed in February. The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Literature will organise the award ceremony for Al Multaqa  Prize as part of the celebrations marking Kuwait’s designation as the 2025 Capital of Arab Culture and Media.

The award ceremony will be accompanied by a two-day cultural event, featuring a diverse group of Arabic short story writers, critics, publishers, and international translators, adding depth and richness to the festivities.