ALC Reveals Shortlists For The Fourth Edition Of Kanz Al Jeel Award Celebrating Nabati Poetry

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), under the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, has unveiled the shortlists for the fourth Kanz Al Jeel Award. This award honours exceptional Nabati poetry works, aiming to revive its heritage and values while promoting related studies. The Higher Committee, led by Ali Obaid Al Hameli, selected 17 works from nine countries across four categories.

In this edition, six entries were chosen for the Arts category, three for Poetic Publications, five for Poetry Matching, and three for Studies and Research. The Translation category was not awarded this year after a review of judges' reports. The committee included Dr. Hamda Al Hammadi, Dr. Shakir Noori, poet Obaid bin Qadlan Al Mazrouei, Dr. Abdullah Ghliss, with Waleed Alaaeldin as rapporteur.

This year saw 830 submissions across six categories from 35 countries, including 19 Arab nations. This represents a 38% increase from last year's 601 nominations. Such growth underscores the award's rising prestige among literary awards and highlights Emirati culture's influence in Nabati poetry globally.

The shortlisted works originate from Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, and the UK. These selections were based on adherence to award criteria and their connection to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s legacy. The award aims to inspire future generations by strengthening cultural ties.

The selection process is crucial in determining winners at the Board of Trustees' upcoming meeting. Works are evaluated based on their alignment with the award's standards and their potential to inspire cultural appreciation among future generations.

The Kanz Al Jeel Award continues to celebrate Nabati poetry's rich heritage while fostering research in folk studies. By honouring outstanding works in this field, it ensures that the art form remains vibrant and relevant both regionally and internationally.

With inputs from WAM