The Palestinian poets Ghassan Zaqtan, Youssef Abdulaziz, Tareq Riyad, and Zuhair Abu Shaib have been awarded the prestigious 2026 Arcane Prize for Poetry, marking a significant milestone as it is the first time this honor has been granted to a collective of poets rather than an individual. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 25 at the Mohammed VI Museum in Rabat, coinciding with the celebration of Rabat being named a World Book Capital for the year 2026.
The Arcane Prize for Poetry is awarded by the House of Poetry in Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication. The judging panel, which conferred this honor, was led by Moroccan poet Wafaa Al-Imrani and comprised various distinguished members including academic Abdul Rahman Tankoul, visual artist Ahmed Jarid, academic Jamal Al-Din Benhayoun, poet and translator Nour Al-Din Al-Zuwitni, and Hassan Najmi, the Secretary-General of the prize.
The committee expressed that the recognition of Palestinian poetry celebrates its literary achievements characterized by diverse voices and varied experiences. It highlights the expansive literary horizons of Palestinian poetry, affirming that the act of writing from within the depths of suffering makes the creative process an arduous task, one that tests the essence of writing as it strives to maintain its poetic lineage.
This award previously honored the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish during its third edition in 2008. The laureates will receive a monetary prize during the official ceremony at the Mohammed VI Museum of Contemporary Art, as part of the festivities marking Rabat's designation as the World Book Capital for 2026.
Ghassan Zaqtan is recognized as one of the prominent contemporary voices in Palestine and the Arab world. Born in Beit Jala in 1954, his celebrated works include "The Heroism of Things," "Not for My Sake," "The Biography of Coal," "Like a Bird of Straw Following Me," and "Strangers in Light Coats." Other poets have also produced notable collections; for instance, Youssef Abdulaziz has published "The Anthem of Stone," "A Homeland in the Camp," "Notebooks of the Clouds," "The Mask of the Rose," and "The Wolf of Forty." Tareq Riyad's publications include "The Desire of the Wind," "The Time's Haller," "Mirage of the Waters," "The Book of the Unseen," and "The Forbidden Cup." Additionally, Zuhair Abu Shaib's works include "The Geography of Wind and Questions," "The Diary of Conditions and States," "The Shadow of Night," "Secret Rain," and "The History of Thirst."
As reported by asharq.com.
