Sheikh Zayed Book Award: the University of Bologna hosts the Italian opening of the prestigious award dedicated to Arab culture

One of the world’s most prestigious awards dedicated to Arabic literature and culture, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), will launch its Italian anniversary conference series at the University of Bologna to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, under the title Authenticity, Authority, and the Life of Texts: From Classical Translation to Contemporary Literary Cultures and Digital Humanisms.

Organised in collaboration with Ca' Foscari University of Venice and University of Naples L'Orientale, the initiative will unfold across three events between 11 and 15 May and reaffirms Italy’s long-standing role as a bridge to the Arab world, fostering the circulation of knowledge and internationally recognised academic excellence.

The conference series explores the dialogue between classical heritage and the Arab world, examined through the lens of the challenges posed by digital technologies and new forms of cultural expression.

Internationally renowned scholars, including members of the Award’s Scientific Committee and past winners, will take part in the initiative.

The Bologna leg of the programme, titled Authenticity, Authority, and the Life of Texts, will take place on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 May at Palazzo Hercolani (Strada Maggiore 45). The discussions will focus on the construction of the literary canon through processes such as intertextuality, authorship and translation.

The event will open with institutional greetings from Deputy Rector Simona Tondelli and Paola Scrolavezza, Director of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. This will be followed by a speech by H.E. Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and Secretary General of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, who will retrace the twenty-year history of the Award and its role in promoting Arabic literature worldwide.

Among the key events is the lectio magistralis by Prof. Muhsin J. al-Musawi (Columbia University
), winner of the 2022 Sheikh Zayed Book Award, titled Poetic Desire and Literary Thievery:  Dynamics of Epistemic Transformation in Arabic Literary Theory, with Chiara Fontana (University of Bologna, coordinator of the Scientific and Organising Committee) serving as discussant. The lecture will explore the evolution of poetic thought and the boundaries of intellectual property within classical traditions.

The round table Who Speaks for Tradition? Language, Authority, and the Power to Canonise, moderated by Ines Peta (University of Bologna) and featuring Caterina Mauri (University of Bologna), Reem Bassiouney (American University in Cairo, 2023 SZBA winner) and Chokri al-Saadi (University of Tunis, 2023 SZBA winner), will examine how linguistic authority shapes the literary canon

The afternoon will open with the presentation of a book by Marco Di Branco (Sapienza University of Rome, 2025 SZBA winner), with contributions from Gabriele Ferrario (University of Bologna). Di Branco will discuss his award-winning work Greek and Roman History in Arabic Historical Sources:  Orosius’ Seven Books of Histories Against the Pagans, which explores the complexity of interpreting ancient texts across different civilisations.

This will be followed by a lecture by Bilal Orfali (American University of Beirut, member of the ALC Advisory Scientific Committee), titled The Art of Enumeration in Pre-modern Arabic Literature, with Davide Bertagnolli (University of Bologna) serving as discussant.

The conference will continue on the second day at the Umberto Eco International Center for Humanistic Studies with a round table titled The Limits of Interpretation:  Eco, Translation, and the Responsibility of Mediation. This concluding session, chaired by Cristina Demaria, a former student of Eco, aims to honour his legacy and celebrate his outstanding contribution to translation studies and intertextuality.

The event is open to both the academic community and the wider public.