The 8th edition of the Grand Prix Assia-Djebar du Roman is set to take place on October 8, 2026, at the Abdelatif-Rahal International Conference Center in Algiers. This literary event, initiated and organized by the Algerian National Enterprise for Communication, Publishing, and Advertising (ANEP), has become a major cultural event in Algeria. The Grand Prix Assia-Djebar du Roman is held every two years and honors the best novels published in Arabic, Tamazight, and French.
This year's edition has attracted 155 novels in competition, with nine novels shortlisted in three languages. Three works were selected in each category, showcasing the diversity and richness of Algerian literary production. The shortlisted novels in Arabic are "A'rach Ed'dem" by Hocine Aalam, "Er'rafraf" by Sarah Mohamed Maariche, and "Aam Ar-rehma" by Khier Chouar. In Tamazight, the selected works are "D Asderfef" by Chabha Ben Gana, "Tighri n Tudert" by Siham Harikenchikh, and "Aggus" by Farida Sahoui.
The jury, presided over by poet and translator Miloud Hakim, comprises writers, academics, researchers, and specialists in Algerian literature. The diverse profiles of the jury members allow for different perspectives on the presented works and ensure that the selected texts reflect the richness of contemporary Algerian literary creation. The jury's composition demonstrates the commitment to making the prize a literary and cultural endeavor.
The Grand Prix Assia-Djebar du Roman is named after the renowned Algerian writer Assia Djebar, who made significant contributions to Algerian and international literature. Born Fatma-Zohra Imalhayène in 1936 in Cherchell, Djebar was a novelist, historian, teacher, academic, and filmmaker. Her work focuses on memory, Algerian history, women's condition, identity, and the relationships between languages and cultures.
The ANEP's initiative to establish the Grand Prix Assia-Djebar du Roman is not only a tribute to Djebar but also an effort to keep her legacy alive in contemporary literary creation. The prize allows for the connection of generations and reminds young readers and writers of Djebar's importance while introducing them to her work, which continues to resonate with the major issues of Algerian society.
The Grand Prix Assia-Djebar du Roman serves as an instrument for promoting books and reading. By organizing this event regularly, the ANEP contributes to giving more visibility to authors and showcasing the diversity of Algerian writing. The prize's structure, which includes three categories for Arabic, Tamazight, and French, sends a strong message in favor of the linguistic diversity of national literature.
The previous edition, held in 2024, awarded Inam Beyoud for "Houaria" in the Arabic category, El Hachemi Kerrache for "1954, Talalit n ussirem" in Tamazight, and Abdelaziz Otmani for "La lune en" in the French category. The 8th edition promises to celebrate Algerian novels in all their richness and diversity.
Key points
- The 8th Grand Prix Assia-Djebar du Roman will take place on October 8, 2026, in Algiers.
- Nine novels have been shortlisted from 155 submissions in three languages: Arabic, Tamazight, and French.
- The prize aims to promote books, reading, and Algerian literary diversity.
