Abu Dhabi, UAE: – The Higher Committee of the ‘Kanz Al Jeel’ Award has held a meeting to discuss the recommendations raised by its judging panels and to ratify the winners of the Award’s first round, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC).

‘Kanz Al Jeel’ was launched by the ALC, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), to celebrate works of Nabati poetry, an art form which is deeply rooted in Emirati heritage. The Award draws inspiration from the poems of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The meeting was headed by Issa Saif Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the ‘Kanz al Jeel’ Higher Committee and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Cultural and Heritage Programmes and Festivals Management Committee. Members of the Higher Committee attending the meeting included H.E. Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director-General of the National Library and Archives; Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Acting Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair; Bahraini academic Dr. Diaa Al-Kaabi, and Saudi academic and researcher Dr. Munira Al-Ghadeer, along with Jordanian researcher and translator Dr. Khalil Al-Sheikh as Rapporteur of the Committee.

Issa Al Mazrouei said: “For the Award’s inaugural edition, we have received outstanding works that reflect the initiative’s vision and identity, which is inspired by the poetry of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The submissions have demonstrated that literary works focussing on heritage are particularly important to creative thinkers in the UAE and abroad. ‘Kanz Al Jeel’ offers an opportunity to shed light on these distinguished works and the people behind them, underlining their beauty and the human values they highlight, which are rooted in the Emirati and Arab collective conscience.”

For his part, Saeed Al Tunaiji said: “‘Kanz Al Jeel’ forms a significant part of the tremendous efforts undertaken to preserve heritage in the UAE, which is a top priority for our wise leadership. The Award also aligns with the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s cultural strategy, which strives to protect Emirati heritage and pass it on to future generations. This commitment to our heritage and identity is deeply rooted in our country’s history. Since its establishment, the UAE has launched a wide range of cultural initiatives and projects to support creative works related to heritage, which help strengthen national identity and inspire a sense of belonging in the Emirati people.”

The Awards received 234 nominations from 20 countries around the world, across its six categories: Studies and Research, Poetry Publications, Poetry Matching, Arts, Translation, and Creative Personality.

Launched to promote poetry as a mirror of society, the ‘Kanz Al Jeel’ draws inspiration from the poems of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, given the deep meanings that Sheikh Zayed’s poems invoke in the Emirati and Arab collective conscience.

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About Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, established following a directive from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, works to support Arabic language development and modernisation through comprehensive strategies and frameworks, enrich the scientific, educational, cultural and creative contributions of the Arabic language, promote Arabic language proficiency and cultural understanding, and support Arab talents in the fields of writing, translation, publishing, scientific research, arts, content creation and organisation of book fairs. The Centre works to realise its foundational vision through dedicated programmes, human expertise, and meaningful partnerships with the world’s most prestigious technical, cultural, and academic institutions.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture, tourism and creative sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies, and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage, and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.