Islam Issa’s “Alexandria” wins the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2024

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2024 is Islam Issa for Alexandria: The City That Changed The World (London: Sceptre, 2023).

Announcing the result of this year’s competition on Monday 17 June at a ceremony in the Great Hall of King’s College London, Judith Mossman, the chair of judges, said:

Islam Issa’s Alexandria: The City That Changed The World is a little like the city it describes: teeming, sprawling, full of life and sunshine, learned and above all a place for many cultures to meet and mingle. It is a wonderfully personal history by an Alexandrian which celebrates the fertility of the city’s hybrid personality, the continuing relevance of its Hellenic origin and its unique contribution to the world. It’s a joyous read, full of fascinating detail, and a gentle humour.

The winner of the Award, Islam Issa, said:

It is a huge honour to receive the most prestigious award in the field and I am especially proud that this was decided unanimously by such esteemed judges. While writing Alexandria, I realised how special the book would become – to me as I went on a journey of self-discovery, to generations of people linked to the city and its culture, and to individuals for whom Alexandria remains a part of the imagination. This has been confirmed through the correspondences I am receiving on a daily basis, some moved by its story and others who have recognised aspects of themselves in it.

The Chair of the Council of the League, John Kittmer, said:

Congratulations from all of us at the League to Islam Issa, the worthy winner of the Runciman Award 2024. Hellenism has always existed alongside other cultures – nowhere more so than in Alexandria, the great entrepot founded by Alexander the Great. Islam Issa’s winning book tells the story of this great city in all its richness and complexity. It’s a magnificent achievement.  

The announcement of the winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2024 was made on Monday 17 June, 7pm at King’s College London: Centre for Hellenic Studies, which co-hosted the event with the League. Prof. Alexander Lingas (City, University of London) gave the keynote address on ‘Recovering the Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia’. Prof. Judith Mossman reviewed the shortlisted books on behalf of the panel of judges and announced the winner. The winner gave an acceptance speech and introduced his winning book to the audience. Short addresses were also given by Prof. Simon Tanner (KCL), Dr John Kittmer (the League) and Prof. Gonda Van Steen (KCL).

The Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award is sponsored by the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation and the A. G. Leventis Foundation.