Cairo, December 27, 2025: Sawiris Foundation for Social Development has announced the date of its annual ceremony honoring the winners of the 21st edition of the Sawiris Cultural Award, scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Ewart Memorial Hall, Tahrir Cultural Center, at the American University in Cairo.
This edition marks the beginning of the third decade of the Sawiris Cultural Award’s journey in supporting Egyptian creativity. Over more than twenty years, the award has played a prominent role in advancing literature, discovering emerging talents, and highlighting creative voices both locally and internationally, firmly establishing its position as one of Egypt’s leading cultural platforms supporting the literary movement.
The annual ceremony will announce the winners across the award’s various categories, including novels and short story collections, screenplays and plays, literary criticism and narrative studies, and children’s literature (under 12 years old). The event will also spotlight works that reflect the richness and diversity of the Egyptian literary scene, reaffirming the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting thought and artistic expression as two essential pillars for cultural advancement and sustainable development.
Over the past two decades, thousands of Egyptian writers of different generations and backgrounds have participated in the award, with more than 300 authors and literary figures honored for their distinguished works. In its 21st edition, winners will be selected from approximately 750 literary submissions across the various categories, as the annual ceremony continues to serve as a platform for recognizing creative excellence and encouraging new generations to draw on the power of words and art to drive social and cultural change.
The Sawiris Cultural Award is one of the flagship programs of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, aimed at supporting the Egyptian cultural landscape and promoting the value of creativity as a driver of enlightenment and development.
Launched in 2005, the award seeks to honor outstanding literary works by both established and young Egyptian writers, encourage artistic innovation, spotlight emerging talent, and celebrate distinguished literary figures.
The award covers multiple categories, including novels, short stories, screenplays, theatrical texts, literary criticism, narratives, and children’s literature.
Over the past 21 years, the award has become a well-established platform for enriching cultural life in Egypt, showcasing numerous exceptional creative works and cementing its status as one of the most prestigious literary awards both locally and regionally.