Sharjah Prize For Arab Creativity Celebrates 18 Winners In Literature And Art

The Sharjah Prize for Arab Creativity, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, commenced its 28th edition on 10th April 2025. This event, organised by the Cultural Affairs Administration at the Department of Culture in Sharjah, spans two days from 14th to 15th April 2025. It brings together 470 participants from various Arab and African countries, including Nigeria and Mali.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Administration, expressed his delight in honouring a talented group of winners. He highlighted the prize's noble purpose of supporting early-stage creativity and Sharjah’s dedication to nurturing educated generations capable of addressing societal issues through literature and art. The prize has become a vital platform for discovering new literary talents among Arab creators yet to publish their works.

The award ceremony took place at the Sharjah Cultural Palace, attended by literary figures and enthusiasts of Arabic literature. Al Qaseer honoured 18 winners from different Arab countries across six literary fields: poetry, novels, short stories, theatrical texts, children's literature, and criticism. This recognition acknowledges their creative contributions to contemporary Arabic literature.

Al Qaseer noted that the Sharjah Prize for Arab Creativity is a beacon in contemporary Arabic literature. It supports cultural scenes from the ocean to the Gulf by providing writers with a platform to publish their work and engage in Arab cultural dialogue. The award's relocation celebrations to various Arab countries affirm Sharjah’s cultural project.

Following the awards ceremony, a scientific workshop titled "Arabic Poetry Between Authenticity and Modernity" began. Dr. Sadiq Omar Al Sadiq supervised this workshop featuring three main topics: manifestations of renewal in contemporary Arabic poetry, the new poem and poetic heritage, and contemporary rhetorical techniques.

In the first session, four winners presented research papers discussing how modern Arabic poetry allows poets to experiment freely while reflecting community concerns. The second session continued with four more winners exploring new poetry's relationship with traditional themes, highlighting the richness of the Arabic language.

A Platform for Emerging Talent

The prize has become a significant milestone in discovering new literary talents among unpublished Arab creators. It represents an opportunity to recognise artists from their initial steps and honours Arab creativity in its finest forms. Egypt hosted the first event outside the UAE in 2019; after various stops in different Arab capitals, it returns to Sharjah to celebrate new creative names.

Al Qaseer concluded his remarks by congratulating the winners of this year’s edition and conveyed greetings from H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, wishing them success. The workshop will continue tomorrow with winners presenting poetic readings at day's end.

With inputs from WAM