Litprom: Dialogue through literature
Since 40 years Litprom promotes literature and authors from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Arab World.
Apology to Adania Shibli
A message with this wording has been sent to Adania Shibli on October 15, 2023, on behalf of Litprom board and team. We would like to hereby share its content publicly.
We would like to formally apologise to Adania Shibli for the difficulties that have arisen for her in connection with the planned presentation of the Liberatur Prize.
It was never our intention to question the awarding of the prize to Adania Shibli. We firmly reject the accusations and defamations made against her and her book in parts of the press as unfounded.
With the escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas and against the background of the polarising situation in Germany as well, we thought it right to hold the award ceremony at a different time in a less politically charged atmosphere — also to avoid possible disturbances or even attacks on Adania Shibli’s person. It should be noted that there was never any question of cancelling the award or even withdrawing it altogether! We considered this to have been agreed with the author when we made the decision public. This was a misunderstanding and mistake, as we later realised.
We would now like to reconsider together with the author in what form we can hold the award ceremony for Adania Shibli’s important book as soon as possible in a dignified manner appropriate to her work, taking into account what has happened and the unbearable situation in the world.
Litprom e.V. board & team
Published on Januray 17, 2024.
LiBeratur Award 2023
The winner is Adania Shibli | Palestine/Germany
October 16, 2023
Due to the war started by Hamas, under which millions of people in Israel and Palestine are suffering, the organiser Litprom e.V. decided to not hold the award ceremony of the LiBeraturpreis at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Litprom is looking for a suitable format and setting for the event at a later point. Awarding the prize to Adania Shibli was never in question. Litprom firmly rejects the accusations and defamations made against the author and the novel in parts of the press as unfounded.
Palestinian author Adania Shibli is this year’s winner of Litprom’s LiBeraturpreis, an award honouring female writers from the Global South.
Sheikh Zayed Book Awards: Events at Frankfurt Book Fair 2021: still available on YouTube
Inside Publishing
Two panels:
»Publishing Arabic books — opportunities and challenges«
Lena Bopp discusses with Rasha al Ameer, Piero Salabè and Yasmina Jraissati.
»It’s only a children’s book – The complexity of the supposedly simple«
Leila Chammaa discusses with Ibtisam Barakat, Suleman Taufiq and Madjid Mohit.
World literature: Join the »Community«
Become a member of the association Litprom. Just write us an e-mail at: litprom@buchmesse.de
Sheikh Zayed Book Award – 2024 winners
Sheikh Zayed Book Award Announces Winners of its 18th Edition Abu Dhabi, 04 Apr 2024
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has announced winners of its 18th edition following a meeting of its Board of Trustees.
The winner of the Literature category of the Award is Egyptian writer Reem Bassiouney (photo) for her novel ‘Al Halwani...Thulathiyat al-Fatimiyeen’ (Al Halwani: The Fatimid Trilogy), published by Nahdet Misr Publishing, Printing and Distribution in 2022. Bassiouney is working on a project to write historical novels about Egypt in the Middle Ages, where she seeks to shed light on the Egyptian character with narratives that intertwine poetry, architecture, and mythology, while underscoring the human dimension. The author works to construct the narrative of historical and social development in Egypt in that era, using a narrative tone that aligns with the nature of that extended historical period and its intellectual and social dimensions.
Submissions for the 18th edition were the highest in the Award’s history, with a total of 4,240 nominations received, marking a 35% increase over last year’s 3,151 submissions. Additionally, the number of participating countries grew to 74, including 19 Arab nations and 55 countries from around the world.
The winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year award will be announced in the upcoming few weeks. The winners will be honoured at a ceremony organised by the ALC during the 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which is held annually at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Sheikh Zayed Book Award unveils shortlists for its 18th edition
Abu Dhabi, 07 Mar 2024
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has unveiled the shortlists for its 18th edition, showcasing an array of remarkable literary works from around the world. The Award revealed shortlisted nominations across its Literature, Young Author, Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Editing of Arabic Manuscripts and Publishing and Technology categories.
Litprom as your entry to the German book market
What can we do for foreign literary institutions in the Global South?
Are you currently trying to enter the German-speaking book market? Would you like to build-up your own business network and find your books being translated into German and being sold in German-speaking countries?
We provide you with an extended network ranging from German publishers specialized on international literature to renowned translators and important business multipliers for your market entry. We have been working in the field of promoting international literature to the German market for almost forty years and bring in the necessary network and work experience. Litprom is headed by the president of Frankfurt Book Fair, Juergen Boos, underlining the strong connection to and within the German book market.
Contact: Joscha Hekele
Phone: +49-(0)69 – 2102 250 | e-mail: hekele@buchmesse.de
Important note for authors
Litprom is not a literary agency.
Please don't send us any manuscripts, we won't pass them on to German publishers or check them for a translation.
If you are looking for a suitable publishing house, feel welcome to search our Catalogue of Sources.
Weltempfang 2020
Topics that move us all. Exciting debates. Still online!
Weltempfang — the centre for politics, literature and translation — provides answers to current social questions and debates.
Litprom's contributions to the programme:
Africa and Europe — How can cooperation succeed? With Kenyan writer Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor
The Arab World and Europe: Flight and migration in children’s books
With Kirsten Boie and Ibtisam Barakat