Berlin: Iraqi-German writer Abbas Kheder has been awarded the 2025 Berlin Literature Prize for his novel “Palais des Mis©rables,” which explores a significant period in Iraq’s history during the economic blockade. The novel brings attention to the challenges faced by many during this tumultuous time.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the author was presented with a £30,000 prize at a ceremony held at the Red City Hall. The event was attended by the mayor of Berlin, the head of the city council, and several prominent literary figures, highlighting the importance of Kheder’s work.

Kheder’s writing draws on personal experiences and those of others who endured hardships before fleeing Iraq due to torture in Saddam Hussein’s prisons. His journey took him through Jordan and Libya to Germany, where he completed his high school education and began his writing career in the German language.