The 20th cycle (2025-2026) of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award received over 4,000 entries from 74 countries, including 21 Arab and 53 foreign nations. Among the participants were countries joining for the first time, such as Chile, Iceland, and Luxembourg. The screening and reading committee, chaired by the award's Secretary-General Dr. Ali bin Tamim, reviewed the nominated works across various categories, assessing their compliance with the established criteria in preparation for announcing the longlists of nominees. Dr. Ali bin Tamim stated: 'The 20th cycle of the award marks a bright milestone in its two-decade journey of cultural and intellectual contribution, during which it has cemented its status as an Arab and global platform that honors creators and enhances the presence of literature, thought, and research across various fields of knowledge.' Nominations for the 20th cycle showed significant growth compared to the previous one, reflecting the trust the award commands and its role in supporting literary and intellectual talents worldwide. The 'Literature' category led with 1,117 entries, followed by 'Young Author' with 892, 'Children's and Young Adult Literature' with 509, and 'Arts and Literary Criticism' with 479. The current cycle saw a 12% increase in female entries compared to the last cycle, while cultural and research institutions saw an 80% rise in their participation. International entries from non-Arab countries increased by 16%. Over two decades, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has solidified its position as a global knowledge platform that celebrates creativity and creators. The 'Translation Grant' program, launched in 2018, has also played a key role in this by supporting the translation of Arabic literature into world languages and expanding its creative reach.
