Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) recently convened a meeting of the Reading Committee for the Sard Al Thahab Award to evaluate the nominations for its third edition and ensure that the submitted works meet the Award’s established criteria and standards. This year, the Award experienced a significant 68% increase in the number of participating countries compared to its inaugural edition, indicating a growing interest and progress in revitalizing the arts of narrative and folk heritage on both local and international levels.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting was attended by Dr. Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Director-General of the National Library and Archives and Chair of the Award’s Higher Committee, along with committee members such as screenwriter and arts advisor Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, writer-researcher Reem Al Kamali, and writer-researcher Walid Alaa Eldin.
The third edition of the Sard Al Thahab Award saw substantial participation across its six categories, with submissions from countries participating for the first time, including Albania, Austria, Chad, Denmark, Italy, and Japan. These countries, with their rich civilizations and folk heritage, contributed unique talents and works, enhancing the Award’s status in the cultural landscape and its role in enriching narrative and folk arts.
The total number of participating countries reached 37 this year, up from 22 in the first edition, evidencing a 68% increase in less than three years since the Award’s inception in 2023. This remarkable growth underscores the Award’s expanding international influence and solidifies its prestigious global position.
Among Arab countries, Egypt led in the number of submissions, followed by Morocco, Iraq, Algeria, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. This reflects the dedication among creatives in these nations to showcase their folk heritage and cultural diversity through literature and the arts.
The Short Story for Unpublished Stories category saw the highest number of submissions, providing nominees with opportunities to display their creativity. The Short Story for Published Stories category ranked second, aiming to reimagine folk heritage in innovative ways for future generations.
In the Illustrated Story category, photographers and filmmakers offered inventive works that connected literature and imagery, while the Popular Narratives category received strong participation, highlighting the Award’s success in emphasizing folk narratives.
Submissions in the Narrators category demonstrated the ALC’s dedication to honoring narrators who have contributed to preserving and passing down folk heritage. Meanwhile, the Emirati Narration category underscored the Award’s role in promoting Emirati identity and values.
‘H.E. Dr Abdulla Majid Al Ali stated, ‘The Sard Al Thahab Award allows us to showcase literary talents globally, connect them with wider audiences, and promote their creativity.’ He noted the Award’s focus on honoring works that enrich Arab libraries with narratives inspired by folk heritage and reflect life and community evolution worldwide.
Established by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the Sard Al Thahab Award aims to honor folk narrators and revive folk narrative art among new generations in the UAE and Arab world. As it approaches announcing shortlists for its third edition, the Award continues to gain international recognition as a platform for literary and cultural exchange and a key contributor to the cultural movement.