CULTURE — February 20, 2026
Afghan-Born Dutch Author Forough Karimi Wins Dutch Booksellers Award for 2026
Afghan-born Dutch author Forough Karimi won the 2026 Dutch Booksellers Award for her novel 'I Carry Clouds in My Eyes,' which tells the story of an Afghan refugee psychiatrist.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — corroborated by Khaama Press — 2 min read
Forough Karimi, an Afghan-born Dutch author, has won the Dutch Booksellers Award for 2026.
Organizers announced on Thursday evening, February 19, 2026, that Karimi's novel "I Carry Clouds in My Eyes" was selected as the book of the year by a panel of booksellers. The jury described the work as "urgent, heartbreaking and with a measured structure," noting that Karimi gives voice to refugees and serves as a capable narrator.
The novel is Karimi's third work of fiction. It follows Behnaz Vida, a psychiatrist who fled Kabul for the Netherlands at age 15 and built a new life there.
The Dutch Booksellers Award is presented annually to an original Dutch-language book deemed worthy of a wider audience by booksellers. This year, it includes a promotional campaign, a special edition and, for the first time, 5,000 euros in cash.
Karimi was born in Kabul in 1971. She left Afghanistan in 1996 at age 25 due to the war and sought refuge in the Netherlands.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Key facts about Forough Karimi winning the 2026 Dutch Booksellers Award for her novel 'I Carry Clouds in My Eyes,' including announcement date and jury description, corroborated by two independent outlets (Hasht-e Subh, Khaama Press).
The source language reads straight.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by 2 outlets
Hasht-e Subh
Originating
Khaama Press
Filed under
Culture — Forough Karimi, Dutch Booksellers Award, Afghan author, Netherlands, literature
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