Khalifa Bin Tahnoon Celebrates Winners Of The Third Edition Of The Kanz Al Jeel Award In Abu Dhabi
Under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the third Kanz Al Jeel Award ceremony took place at Zayed Central Library in Al Ain. Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, honoured the winners. This award, initiated by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), celebrates notable works in Nabati poetry and folklore studies.
The event was part of the Al Ain Book Festival 2024 and saw attendance from prominent figures like Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC; and Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director-General of the National Archives and National Library. Several high-ranking officials were also present.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak highlighted that "The Kanz Al Jeel Award embodies Abu Dhabi’s commitment to creativity and cultural innovation." He noted how it nurtures talent and inspires new generations to draw from their ancestors' creative traditions. The award's success reflects UAE leadership's support for cultural heritage and creative expression.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim praised the competitiveness of submissions and their ability to reinforce aesthetic values linked to UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He stressed reviving Nabati poetry as a key cultural identity pillar, conveying community hopes and achievements.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon awarded Mahsa Davachi from Iran in the Arts category for her painting titled UAE. Her work exemplified skillful composition and colour use to achieve a golden ratio. Saudi poet Faisal Al Oteibi won in Poetry Matching with his poem Al Sheikh Nad, encouraging youth to embrace tradition while gaining knowledge.
In Poetic Publications, Emirati poet Ateeq Khalfan Alkaabi received recognition for his collection Signatures. His poems reflect deep human experiences with modern philosophical insights while maintaining traditional forms. The Creative Personality category honoured Fuad Honda for his contributions to Arabic calligraphy.
Preserving Nabati Poetry
The Kanz Al Jeel Award aligns with ALC's mission to preserve Arabic language richness and celebrate Nabati poetry creativity. This poetry form is a significant cultural phenomenon in the UAE, representing identity and cultural memory through eloquent verses resonating with beauty.
This year's award edition saw a 128% participation increase from last year, with 600 entries from 24 countries, including 19 Arab nations. This growth underscores its prestigious status since its inception in 2021.
The award continues inspiring appreciation for heritage aesthetics through contemporary tools among new generations. It remains a beacon for scholars, translators, visual artists, and pioneers of this esteemed Arab art form.
With inputs from WAM
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