The fifth edition of the National Tunisian Book Fair concluded with a ceremony at the City of Culture in Tunis, where four winners were announced and awarded prizes. The event was attended by Minister of Cultural Affairs Amira Sarraf. The prizes, worth 10,000 dinars each, were awarded in four categories: poetry, novel, short story, and intellectual or pedagogical studies for children.
The poetry prize was awarded to Mohamed Hedi Jaziri and Iman Daoud for their respective poetry collections. Jaziri's collection, "Ama Kan Ajdi Bk Al-Intizar Qalila," was published by Al-Amine Publishing and Distribution, while Daoud's collection, "Murmure d'un cœur euphorique," was published by Wochma Publishing and Distribution. Jaziri is a cultural animator and has published 12 poetry collections and a novel, and has won several Tunisian and Arab awards.
Iman Daoud, a distinguished professor of French language, had her prize-winning collection, "Murmure d'un cœur euphorique," published recently. Her second poetry collection, "Azf Autar Al-Layl," is set to be published in Paris in autumn 2026. The novel prize was awarded to Azhar Al-Sahrawi for his book, "Asal Al-Dunya," published by Maskiliani Publishing. Al-Sahrawi is a secondary education teacher and has written four short story collections and three novels.
The short story prize was awarded to Yasmine Khodumah for her story, "Fi Dakili Sukak Min Hadid," published by Waraqah Publishing and Distribution. Khodumah is a graduate of the Higher Institute of Documentation in Manouba. The prize for intellectual or pedagogical studies for children was awarded to Najwa Al-Qadri for her book, "Tufulah Al-Sard, Wiladat Al-Ma'na Fi Saradiyat Al-Tifl Min Manzur Irfani," published by Arcadia Publishing and Distribution.
Najwa Al-Qadri is a distinguished general inspector at the Ministry of Education and a researcher in Arabic education. She recently won the 2026 Kummer Prize for Novel (Discovery). The winners' prizes were announced on October 27, 2026, at the City of Culture in Tunis. The National Book Fair is a significant event in Tunisia's cultural calendar, promoting literature and recognizing the achievements of Tunisian writers.
The four winners were recognized for their contributions to Tunisian literature, and their prizes were presented at the ceremony. The event celebrated the country's rich literary heritage and encouraged new talent to emerge. The prizes are a testament to the country's commitment to promoting literature and the arts.
The fifth edition of the National Book Fair has come to a close, but its impact will be felt throughout the Tunisian literary community. The winners' works will be widely recognized, and their achievements will inspire future generations of writers and readers.
Key points
- The National Tunisian Book Fair awarded four prizes in poetry, novel, short story, and children's literature.
- Mohamed Hedi Jaziri and Iman Daoud jointly won the poetry prize for their respective collections.
- The prizes are worth 10,000 dinars each and are a significant recognition of Tunisian literary talent.
