Kanz Al Jeel Award Receives 830 Entries From 35 Countries, Highlighting Global Interest In Nabati Poetry

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has concluded the submission phase for the fourth Kanz Al Jeel award. This award celebrates exceptional works in Nabati poetry, folklore research, and studies on Nabati verse heritage. It aims to preserve cultural heritage and enhance its intellectual and creative presence. This year, 830 entries were received from 35 countries, including 19 Arab nations, marking a 38% increase from the previous edition.

This year's submissions came from over 16 non-Arab countries, with first-time participants like Colombia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Germany, Serbia, Sweden, Nigeria, and Ukraine. This diverse participation highlights the award's growing global appeal and its role in fostering cultural exchange through Nabati poetry and related art forms. The award's international reach reflects its success in promoting cultural dialogue.

The Reading Panel Committee of the Kanz Al Jeel award held their initial meeting after submissions closed. Chaired by Ali Obaid Al Hameli, a renowned writer and columnist, the committee included academic advisor Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, poet Obaid bin Qadlan Al Mazrouei, and author Mohamed Abu Zeid. They discussed selection criteria to ensure transparency and adherence to literary standards while evaluating submitted works.

This year saw significant participation in various categories. The Poetry Matching category led with 465 entries, making up over 56% of total submissions. The Arts category followed with 281 entries. Poetic Publications had 26 entries; Translation received 11; Studies & Research had 10 submissions. Notably, the Creative Personality category grew to 37 nominations from just 10 previously.

Women played a prominent role this year with 263 entries compared to 131 in the last cycle. This increase signifies their growing involvement in Nabati poetry culture. Submissions also came from leading publishing houses and cultural institutions, strengthening partnerships with academic and community organisations engaged in this art form.

Significance of Nabati Poetry

Ali Obaid Al Hameli noted that this year's creative momentum reaffirms Arab societies' strong connection to Nabati poetry. He stated: "The creative momentum and distinct range of voices we witnessed this year reaffirm the strong emotional and intellectual connection that Arab societies continue to feel towards this cherished artform." He emphasised that Nabati poetry remains a vital expression of cultural identity beyond language barriers.

The Kanz Al Jeel Award is inspired by a poem by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE's Founding Father. It aims to celebrate Nabati creativity while preserving Emirati and Arab poetic heritage. The award promotes aesthetic values among younger generations while bridging tradition with modernity.

The evaluation process for shortlisted entries will soon commence with expert panels assessing each category. The continued success of the Kanz Al Jeel award underscores the UAE's dedication to preserving intangible cultural heritage while supporting emerging talent through platforms that honour creativity.

With inputs from WAM