TEHRAN- Winners in different categories of the 16th edition of the Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards were honored during a ceremony at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Wednesday. 

In the documentation category, Mohammad Rahmani received the top prize of Iran’s most lucrative literary award valued at four billion rials ($8,000) for his book "I Confess: The Life and Times of Vahid Afrakhteh, a Member of the Central Organization of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO)."

In this category, Mohammad Hokm-Abadi received an honorable mention for his book “The Revival Operation: The Narrative of the Rise of a Knowledge-Based Complex in the Field of Electric Motors."
 
In short story collections competition, "Before It Is Monday" written by Ali Shahmoradi was honored.

In novel section, “Beirut” by Ebrahim Akbari-Dizgah and “Sorrow-Burning” by Azam Azimi shared the top prize of the event. 

The Jury did note select a winner for the literary review category and Soghra Salehi received an honorable mention in this section for her book "Apocalyptic End Times in Novels.”

This edition of the event dedicated a section to the Palestinian Cause and in this section “Sur” written by Hossein Ali Jafari and "Meta-Static Israel" written by Kourosh Aliani were honored. 

Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards are highly regarded literary honors in Iran. Named after the renowned Iranian writer and intellectual, Jalal Al-e Ahmad, these awards celebrate excellence in literature across various genres, including novels, short stories, and critical essays. 

The awards aim to recognize and promote outstanding literary achievements, encouraging writers to explore diverse themes, experiment with different styles, and contribute to the enrichment of Iranian literature. 

Each year, a distinguished panel of judges carefully selects the winners and honorees, considering the literary merit, originality, and social impact of the works. The awards ceremony, held annually, brings together renowned writers, scholars, and literary enthusiasts to celebrate the power of words and the immense talent within Iran's literary community. 

With its commitment to literary excellence, the Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards have become a prestigious platform for Iranian writers to showcase their creativity and receive well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the world of literature. 

Photo: Ebrahim Akbari-Dizgah receives the award for his novel “Beirut” at the 16th Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards' closing ceremony on December 27, 2023. 

SAB/