Sharjah Arabic Poetry Criticism Award Reveals Winners Of Fourth Edition Focused On Literary Genres

The Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism has announced the winners of its fourth edition. This year's theme was "The Convergence of Literary Genres in Contemporary Arabic Poetry." The award, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, aims to nurture Arabic poetry and encourage critical studies in the Arab world.

Fathi bin Belkacem Nasri from Tunisia secured first place with his research titled "Autobiographies in Contemporary Arabic Poetry." Dr. Ahmed Jarallah Yassin from Iraq took second place for his work on "The Convergence of Literary Genres in Contemporary Arabic Poetry." Meanwhile, Ibrahim Al Karawi from Morocco earned third place with his study "The Poetics of the Trans-Genre Text: From the Obsession with Authenticity to the Question of Boundaries (Towards a Generalised Poetics)."

Professor Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department and Secretary-General of the Award, highlighted the significance of this initiative. He stated, "Since its establishment in 2020, the Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism has enjoyed the continuous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. This patronage has re-read Arabic poetry from a comprehensive critical perspective by Arab critics, and presented a new critical vision based on the award's topics that discuss the most prominent issues of poetry with broad horizons."

Al Qasir further explained that this edition introduces three critical figures to the Arab cultural scene. These individuals have diligently explored an essential topic concerning "The Convergence of Literary Genres in Contemporary Arabic Poetry," aiming to offer a fresh critical perspective while adhering to award standards.

The award has seen growing interest, attracting over 60 research papers from various countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia, Yemen, Sudan, and Mauritania. This diversity underscores its importance among Arab critics and highlights its role in fostering scholarly engagement across regions.

Winners receive financial rewards for their achievements. The first-place winner is awarded AED100,000. The second-place recipient receives AED75,000, while third place is granted AED50,000. These prizes aim to support and motivate further research and exploration within this field.

The Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism continues to play a pivotal role in enriching the Arab literary landscape. By encouraging critical discourse and recognising outstanding contributions, it fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary Arabic poetry.

With inputs from WAM