Moroccan writer and critic Abdelfattah Kilito received the King Faisal Prize for Arabic language and literature (2023 edition) for his work “Ancient Arabic Narrative and Modern Theories”.
Professor at the Mohammed V University in Rabat, the Moroccan critic was awarded for “the excellence of his interpretation of ancient Arabic stories through careful research (…) as well as for his ability to present the Arabic story to the general public in a clear and precise manner”pointed out the jury.
Abdelfattah Kilito is an Arabic-speaking and French-speaking writer and critic who has worked extensively on the renewal of Arab literary studies, a theme to which he has devoted several books. Many of his works have been translated into other languages such as English, Spanish and Italian.
Kilito has also taken part in numerous colloquiums and conferences on Arabic and French literature, within the framework of meetings and cultural dialogues organized in Morocco and abroad. He has also received several awards in the fields of criticism and literary studies.
The total prize value of the five categories of the King Faisal Prize is $1 million. They are awarded annually to scientists, intellectuals and men of letters who have made scientific contributions for the benefit of humanity. The different categories are medicine, science, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, and service to Islam.
The Faisal Prize was first awarded in 1979. Since then, 282 researchers and scientists from 44 countries have won it, including 22 Nobel Prize winners. (With MAP)