Algeria 
Bahrain 
Egypt 
Iran 
Iraq 
Israel 
Jordan 
Kuwait 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Morocco 
Oman 
Palestine * 
Qatar 
Saudi Arabia 
Syria 
Tunisia 
United Arab Emirates 
Yemen A Sea of Words highlights youth literary talent across the Mediterranean
The 17th edition of the youth literary competition A Sea of Words will honour the ten best young authors from the Euro-Mediterranean region at a special awards ceremony on 29 September in Barcelona. Organised by the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) in partnership with the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF), the event takes place within the framework of Mondiacult 2025 and the 30th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process, spotlighting creativity and intercultural dialogue at a time when storytelling is more essential than ever.
The evening will open with the official recognition of the ten finalists and the announcement of the three winners (18:15–18:30), followed by a high-level dialogue “Storytelling in Times of Crisis” (18:30–19:30). This conversation will bring together renowned Mediterranean writers and journalists Maram al-Masri, Cristina Rivas and Karima Ziali, alongside the three winning authors, with active contributions from young representatives of the Mediterranean Youth in Action programme of the Anna Lindh Foundation: Aly Abdelazem, Mathias Charles, Brian Rocca, Nisrine El Kettani and Amina Temmam.
The ceremony will conclude with a Mediterranean concert by L’Beel (19:30–20:15), an emerging singer-songwriter blending contemporary pop with North African sounds, offering a musical journey on identity, migration and intercultural exchange. As in previous editions, the top ten young authors will also join cultural and literary activities on 30 September, further encouraging exchange and mutual understanding.
Countries covered:
-
Algeria
-
Bahrain
-
Egypt
-
Iran
-
Iraq
-
Israel
-
Jordan
-
Kuwait
-
Lebanon
-
Libya
-
Morocco
-
Oman
-
Palestine *
-
Qatar
-
Saudi Arabia
-
Syria
-
Tunisia
-
United Arab Emirates
-
Yemen
