Doha, May 23 (QNA) - Arabic-language writers are being invited to place their work in contention for the Radwa Ashour Award for Arabic Literature – an accolade established by Qatar Foundation and the University of Granada that reaffirms their joint commitment to nurturing Arabic literary excellence throughout the world.

Submissions are now being accepted for the second cycle of the award – a writing residency retreat, awarded on an annual basis, that offer the creators of outstanding Arabic literary works the opportunity to advance their craft – with the final deadline for manuscripts to be received being May 30, 2026.

Established in 2024, in its inaugural cycle the award and retreat were presented to Mohammad Tarazi for The Oak of the High Mountain, a century-spanning family saga set in South Lebanon, and to Nora Nagi for The Quicksand, a luminous blend of realism and fantasy exploring the intimate textures of women’s lives.

Professor Jose Miguel Puerta Vilchez, Arabist and Professor of Art History at the University of Granada, said: "The award carries great significance and special symbolism, as it encourages Arab writers to continue their cultural and literary journey, while offering them the opportunity to spend a month in Granada and experience firsthand the legacy of Andalusia — both past and present."

The award honors the legacy of Egyptian novelist, writer, literary critic, and professor Radwa Ashour, with members of her literary circle of authors, critics, and scholars overseeing the selection process. Writers are selected based on the literary merit of their work and the promise that their proposed writing project holds. (QNA)