H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, attended the opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel 2026, hosted by Katara Cultural Village Foundation in the State of Qatar, in the presence of H.E. the Qatari Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Khalid Al-Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village Foundation, alongside a number of Arab officials, cultural and literary figures, novelists, critics, and intellectuals.
In his address on this occasion, the Director-General highlighted the central role of the Arabic novel in expressing Arab identity and cultural memory, documenting social and intellectual transformations, and promoting intercultural dialogue. He stressed the importance of concerted Arab efforts to support creative talent, enhance literary production, and strengthen the presence of the Arabic novel on the global cultural scene.
The Director-General also underlined the importance of cultural partnerships among Arab institutions and organizations in developing literary and creative initiatives and expanding cooperation in publishing, translation, and the promotion of Arab literary works. Such efforts, he added, contribute to enhancing the status of Arab culture and strengthening its presence in international fora.
ALECSO’s participation in the event reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Arabic novel and encouraging literary creativity, in line with its mission to advance Arab culture, strengthen joint Arab cultural action, and develop initiatives that provide creative talents with broader opportunities for expression, communication, and the exchange of expertise.
This participation also reflects the strong cultural cooperation between ALECSO and Katara Cultural Village Foundation, demonstrated through joint initiatives to support Arab culture and enhance its visibility. These initiatives include the designation of Katara as the “City of the Arabic Novel,” in recognition of its role in celebrating Arabic fiction, supporting creative writers, encouraging publishing and translation, and providing platforms for interaction among novelists, critics, and others interested in cultural affairs.
The Katara Prize for Arabic Novel continues to consolidate its position as one of the leading Arab cultural initiatives, by honoring creative talent in fiction and literary criticism, encouraging emerging writers, and contributing to the development and wider dissemination of Arab literary production.
ALECSO reaffirms its commitment to continuing cooperation with Arab cultural institutions, particularly Katara Cultural Village Foundation, to launch high-quality, sustainable initiatives that serve the Arabic novel, strengthen cultural and creative industries, preserve Arab cultural identity, and enhance its presence at both regional and international levels.
