Erth Dubai Award Launched By Sheikh Hamdan To Celebrate Cultural Heritage Preservation

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has introduced the Erth Dubai Award. This global recognition celebrates excellence in cultural and heritage preservation. Organised under the Erth Dubai initiative, it honours individuals and organisations dedicated to preserving cultural heritage. The award aims to highlight stories that reflect the richness of Emirati identity and ensure Dubai's heritage is preserved for future generations.

The award encourages community involvement by inviting citizens, residents, and institutions to share stories that capture Dubai’s cultural and social life. With a prize fund exceeding AED5 million, it stands as one of the largest awards in its category. It includes two main categories: community and government/private sector, with seven sub-categories in total.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that Dubai's rich history plays a crucial role in its progress. He noted that societies valuing their heritage are better equipped to build a stable future. The vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has created a unique development model for Dubai, integrating heritage with modernity to define its identity.

The award offers a grand prize of AED1 million for the best overall entry. Each sub-category winner will receive AED500,000. In the community category, awards will be given for creatively documented stories, family legacy documentation, social media storytelling, oral heritage documentation, and resident stories.

Sheikh Hamdan called for active participation in the award, urging people to enrich Dubai’s historical records with personal stories. He highlighted that preserving cultural heritage is a shared responsibility requiring collective efforts from individuals and institutions alike.

The Erth Dubai Award is open to all society members, welcoming submissions from both citizens and residents. Entries should highlight the local community's cultural fabric and creatively capture Emirati identity through authentic storytelling.

Award Ceremony and Digital Archive

Winners will be honoured at an official ceremony in the first quarter of next year. All submissions will be stored in an interactive digital archive accessible to researchers and the public. This archive aims to maximise contributions' long-term value by safeguarding and sharing Dubai’s heritage.

The Erth Dubai initiative was launched last February by Sheikh Hamdan as part of efforts to document Dubai's history and trace its social transformations over decades. Since then, it has attracted thousands of submissions reflecting life’s richness and diversity in Dubai.

Applications for the award can be submitted via the Erth Dubai website or through their app available on Apple Store and Google Play. Registration is open until 15 January 2026.

With inputs from WAM