Sard Al Thahab Award 2024: Abu Dhabi Unveils Committee To Celebrate Arab Storytelling

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has revealed the new members of the Higher Committee for the Sard Al Thahab Award 2024. This committee comprises writers, thinkers, and experts across various disciplines related to the award's categories. The committee will be led by Emirati writer and award-winning media personality Ali Obaid Al Hamli.

The newly appointed members include Professor Mohammad Al Safrani, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Taibah University in Medina, Saudi Arabia; Dr. Asmaa Al-Ahmadi, Associate Professor of Modern Literature and Criticism at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia; Dr. Said Yaktine, a Moroccan researcher in narratology and literary theory; and Egyptian writer Dr. Miral Al-Tahawy, Associate Professor at Arizona State University in the US.

Ali Obaid Al Hamli stated, "The Sard Al Thahab award celebrates authentic Arab identity and culture, complementing the range of prestigious literary awards administered by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, in an effort to enhance the language and its vocabulary in the hearts of the younger generations." He emphasised that storytelling is a crucial part of creative work that highlights values, customs, and traditions.

He added that the award supports creators in narrative fields by opening opportunities for discovering new talents. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision to provide a nurturing environment for creators to express their capabilities and enrich the cultural landscape with imaginative works.

The Sard Al Thahab Award includes six categories: Short Story for Unpublished Stories, Short Story for Published Stories, Popular Narratives, Narrators category celebrating popular literature narrators from the UAE and Arab world, Illustrated Story category, and Emirati Narration category. The latter honours works inspired by UAE history and geography.

Launched in December 2022, Sard Al Thahab is an annual award supporting Arabic storytelling art across the Arab World. It aims to recognise storytelling traditions including folk tales and legends integral to Arab heritage.

First Meeting of Higher Committee

The Higher Committee recently held its inaugural meeting to discuss nomination mechanisms, selection criteria for winners, and internal processes. This meeting marked a significant step towards organising this year's award activities.

The award's focus on storytelling underscores its importance as a fundamental pillar of creative work. By celebrating narratives that reflect Arab identity and culture, it aims to foster a deeper appreciation for literary arts among younger generations.

This initiative by ALC not only supports existing creators but also encourages emerging talents in various literary arts. It provides a platform for them to showcase their work and contribute to enriching readers' imaginations and tastes.

The inclusion of diverse categories ensures that different forms of storytelling are recognised and celebrated. From unpublished short stories to illustrated tales inspired by Emirati heritage, each category offers unique opportunities for writers to gain recognition.

By honouring works that strengthen Emirati identity through literature inspired by local history and symbols, the award promotes cultural pride. It uses these elements as starting points to build distinctive literary works that resonate with readers both locally and internationally.

This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of Arabic storytelling are acknowledged while fostering a supportive environment for literary expression within the region.

With inputs from WAM