The jury, deciding unanimously, recognized Amin Maalouf as “one of the most important voices of our time.”
In their statement, the jury emphasized that the work of the author of ‘The Crusades Through Arab Eyes’ holds “an essential place in contemporary literature, as it insightfully explores the fractures and fusions of the modern world,” showcasing how “hope lies in the recognition of our shared inheritances.”
This year’s FIL Literature Prize jury comprised Alain Mabanckou from the Republic of Congo, Carmen Alemany from Spain, Francisco Noa from Mozambique, Jerónimo Pizarro from Colombia, Lucía Melgar from Mexico, Massimo Rizzante from Italy, and Xavi Ayén from Spain.
The announcement of the winner was made at a press conference led by Karla Planter Pérez, the rector of the University of Guadalajara, accompanied by Héctor Raúl Solís Gadea and Dulce María Zúñiga, the president and director of the FIL Literature Prize in Romance Languages, respectively.
Amin Maalouf will receive the award on November 29 at the opening ceremony of the Guadalajara International Book Fair.
In 2024, the winner was Mozambican writer Mia Couto.
Portuguese author Lídia Jorge was honored with the prize in the 2020 edition.
