The Banipal Prize, officially called the Saif Ghobash–Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation, is an annual award given to a translator or translators for creating an English version of a full-length Arabic literary work.
This prize was started in 2006 by the Banipal literary magazine, which works to share modern Arabic literature with English readers through translations. It is also supported by the Banipal Trust for Arab Literature. The prize is managed by the Society of Authors in the UK, which also handles other literary translation awards.
The prize is funded by Lioudmila Ghobash, Saeed Saif Ghobash, and Maysoune Saif Ghobash. It honors the memory of HE the Late Saif Ghobash.
Winners and nominees
Judges: Moris Farhi, Maya Jaggi, Roger Allen
Judges: Moris Farhi, Maya Jaggi, Roger Allen
Judges: Marilyn Booth, Aamer Hussein, Bill Swainson, Roger Allen
Judges: Francine Stock, Aamer Hussein, Marilyn Booth, Roger Allen
Judges: Margaret Drabble, Susan Bassnett, Elliott Colla, Yasir Suleiman
Judges: Sarah Churchwell, Joan Smith, Christina Phillips, Samuel Shimon
Judges: Ruth Padel, Esther Freud, Fadhil al-Azzawi, John Peate
Judges: Humphrey Davies, Hassan Abdulrazzak, Rajeev Balasubramanyam, Meike Ziervogel
Judges: Paul Blezard-Gymer, Lulu Norman, Samuel Shimon, Jonathan Wright
Judges: Robin Ostle, Samira Kawar, Alastair Niven, Susannah Tarbush.
Judges: Paul Starkey, Lucy Popescu, Zahia Smail Salhi, Bill Swainson,
Judges: Alastair Niven, Peter Kalu, Wen-chin Ouyang, Salam Sarhan.
Judges: Pete Ayrton, Georgia de Chamberet, Fadia Faqir and Sophia Vasalou.
Judges: Ghazi Gheblawi (chair), Dr Jan Fortune, Abla Oudeh, Catherine Taylor.
On 24 November 2021, the shortlist was announced. The jury included Roger Allen (Chair), Rosemarie Hudson, Ronak Hosni, and Caroline McCormick. The winner was announced on 12 January 2022.
On 1 December 2022, the shortlist was announced. The jury included Charis Olszok (chair), Susheila Nasta, Katharine Halls, and Becki Maddock. The winners were announced on 12 January 2023.
On 1 December 2023, the shortlist was announced. The jury included Ros Schwartz (chair), Tony Calderbank, Sarah Enany, and Barbara Schwepcke.