Abu Dhabi: Tunisian author Shukri Mabkhout was announced as the winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) for his debut novel The Italian in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday during an award-giving ceremony.

The IPAF, formed in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, seeks to award and recognise contemporary Arabic creative writing in the field of fiction. Since its inception, the prize has become one of the biggest and most important literary awards in the Middle East.

A delighted Mabkhout dedicated his award to the women of Tunisia and his family, “I would like to dedicate this prize to the women of our country, who have had to fight against injustice and oppression. I dedicate this [award] to my three daughters.”

He also dedicated the award to the other shortlisted finalists, saying, “I am very happy to have a new family, the shortlisted family, and all the previous winners of the IPAF.”

Shukri’s novel centres on a left-wing student named Abdel Nasser, and his time at university during the end of Bourguiba’s rule and the start of Ben Ali’s reign, and the major changes and struggle Tunisian society was facing at the time.

Mourid Barghouti, Chair of Judges, and a well-known Palestinian poet spoke of the judging process that went into picking the final six novelists.

Out of the 180 novels nominated for the prize this year, the judges observed thematic concerns were broadly similar. Barghouti said: “Our objective was to identify the ability of the novelists to find artistic solutions and fresh technical approaches to their themes. We believe this is reflected in the six novels announced today.”

According to Barghouti, the task of reaching a consensus was not easy, with plenty of debate and discussion among the judges, before eventually reaching a binding and unanimous vote on the final six novels and the winner.

Talking about Mabkhout’s novel, Barghouti said: “From the opening scene of his novel, Shukri Mabkhout draws the reader into a world of ambiguity. Through a technique of carefully paced explanation, he gradually casts a fine light on dark areas of his characters as well as on Tunisian history,” said Barghouti.

“The troubled, complex characters are generated by a troubled, complex reality, and as they are not content with their fate they struggle with their societies and themselves at the same time. Mabkhout offers us a panorama of a period and raises dozens of questions within an artistic framework that manages both to surprise readers and persuade them to believe him,” he added.

Each of the six finalists were awarded $10,000 [Dh36,731], with the winner receiving $50,000 [Dh183,657]. The winning entry will also be translated into English in order to broaden the book’s reach and audience.

Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority was present at the ceremony.