The University of Warwick has announced the longlist for the seventh edition of the Warwick Women in Translation Prize 2023.
The long list included the nomination of two books translated from the Arabic language, namely the book “What Have You Left Behind” by the Yemeni writer Bushra Al-Maqtari and the Iraqi translator Sawad Hussein, and the book “Shubeik Lubeik” or “Your Wish Is My Command” by the celebrated Egyptian writer and translator Deena Mohamed.
According to a university statement, 16 titles out of 153 entries were longlisted for the annual award established by the University of Warwick to increase the number of international female voices in the British and Irish reading community.
The shortlist is scheduled to be announced at the beginning of November, and the winner’s name will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 23.
Shubeik Lubeik is Mohamed’s bilingual trilogy, first published in 2015. It follows the protagonist, Aziza, on her journey in an imagined modern-day Egypt. In this fictional universe, wishes are sold in bottles at the Egyptian markets.
It is worth noting that Deena is an Egyptian graphic designer, graphic novelist, and illustrator born and raised in Egypt. She made her debut at the age of 18 with her webcomic Qahera, combining both Islamic and feminist values. Mohamed has collaborated with various advocacy groups, such as Harassmap and the Centre for Applied Human Rights, to create informational comics.
