emirates7 - The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the shortlisted entries for the second edition of the Sard Al Thahab Award. A total of 15 works from eight different countries are competing in four categories: ‘Short Story for Published Stories’, ‘Popular Narratives’, ‘Short Story for Unpublished Stories’, and ‘Illustrated Story’.
In addition to these categories, the center will also reveal winners for the ‘Narrators’ and ‘Emirati Narration’ categories, alongside the winners in the four main categories, in the coming months.
The shortlist includes works from the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, reflecting the award's rapid growth and its ability to attract creative talents across its six categories.
In the ‘Short Story for Published Stories’ category, the shortlisted entries are: ‘The Two Sisters’ by Ali AlAbdan from the UAE, published in 2023 by the Emirates Writers Union; ‘The Last Storyteller in This Time’ by Abdulrahman Abbas from Sudan, published in 2023 by Rwafead Publishing & Distribution; and ‘The Green Dragon’s Wife and Other Colourful Tales’ by Rawaa Sunbol from Syria, published in 2019 by Alaan Publishers & Distributors.
The ‘Popular Narratives’ category shortlist features: ‘Bahraini Folktales: One Thousand and One Tales’ by Dr. Dheya Abdulla Khamis AlKaabi from Bahrain, published in 2018 by the Arab Institute for Research & Publishing; ‘Encyclopedia of Folktales: One Thousand and Eighty Tales from Northern Upper Egypt’ by Dr. Sayed Fares from Egypt, published in 2023 by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; and ‘The Hidden Heritage: The Sumerian Legend and the Gulf Novel of the Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah’ by Fathy Abdelsamie from Egypt, published in 2024 by Dar Waad for Publishing and Distribution.
In the ‘Short Story for Unpublished Stories’ category, the shortlisted entries include five works: ‘Rooms with People Running Underneath Them’ by Iraqi writer Yas AlFahdawi; ‘Biography of a Creature’ by Moroccan writer Said Alfellak; ‘Suspended Souls’ by Egyptian writer AbdelHady Ibrahim; ‘Judeilah Weather’ by Egyptian writer Aida Deraman; and ‘Al Hashashat’ by Tunisian writer Nasr Sami.
The ‘Illustrated Story’ category shortlist includes four entries: a documentary film titled ‘Tifan’ by Aaesha Alteneiji from the UAE; a photograph titled ‘Grandma’s Stories’ by Nuwair Alhajeri from the UAE; a photograph titled ‘Wife’s Loyalty’ by Issa Mohamed from Bahrain; and a drawing titled ‘Antara and Abla’ by Mahmood Shubbar from Iraq.
The jury selected the nominated works based on their adherence to the award's standards and objectives, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and fostering creativity in literature.
The Sard Al Thahab Award is an annual initiative established by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, inspired by the poetry of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the Nation. The award serves as a platform that combines creativity with intellectual thought, promoting an artistic movement grounded in Sheikh Zayed’s legacy.
Its mission is to enhance the art of Arabic storytelling throughout the Arab world, acknowledging the rich traditions of storytelling in the Arabic language, which include the enduring presence of folk tales and myths central to Arab heritage, culture, and intellectual thought. The award aims to highlight this tradition while supporting its study and expression in contemporary culture.
In addition to these categories, the center will also reveal winners for the ‘Narrators’ and ‘Emirati Narration’ categories, alongside the winners in the four main categories, in the coming months.
The shortlist includes works from the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, reflecting the award's rapid growth and its ability to attract creative talents across its six categories.
In the ‘Short Story for Published Stories’ category, the shortlisted entries are: ‘The Two Sisters’ by Ali AlAbdan from the UAE, published in 2023 by the Emirates Writers Union; ‘The Last Storyteller in This Time’ by Abdulrahman Abbas from Sudan, published in 2023 by Rwafead Publishing & Distribution; and ‘The Green Dragon’s Wife and Other Colourful Tales’ by Rawaa Sunbol from Syria, published in 2019 by Alaan Publishers & Distributors.
The ‘Popular Narratives’ category shortlist features: ‘Bahraini Folktales: One Thousand and One Tales’ by Dr. Dheya Abdulla Khamis AlKaabi from Bahrain, published in 2018 by the Arab Institute for Research & Publishing; ‘Encyclopedia of Folktales: One Thousand and Eighty Tales from Northern Upper Egypt’ by Dr. Sayed Fares from Egypt, published in 2023 by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; and ‘The Hidden Heritage: The Sumerian Legend and the Gulf Novel of the Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah’ by Fathy Abdelsamie from Egypt, published in 2024 by Dar Waad for Publishing and Distribution.
In the ‘Short Story for Unpublished Stories’ category, the shortlisted entries include five works: ‘Rooms with People Running Underneath Them’ by Iraqi writer Yas AlFahdawi; ‘Biography of a Creature’ by Moroccan writer Said Alfellak; ‘Suspended Souls’ by Egyptian writer AbdelHady Ibrahim; ‘Judeilah Weather’ by Egyptian writer Aida Deraman; and ‘Al Hashashat’ by Tunisian writer Nasr Sami.
The ‘Illustrated Story’ category shortlist includes four entries: a documentary film titled ‘Tifan’ by Aaesha Alteneiji from the UAE; a photograph titled ‘Grandma’s Stories’ by Nuwair Alhajeri from the UAE; a photograph titled ‘Wife’s Loyalty’ by Issa Mohamed from Bahrain; and a drawing titled ‘Antara and Abla’ by Mahmood Shubbar from Iraq.
The jury selected the nominated works based on their adherence to the award's standards and objectives, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and fostering creativity in literature.
The Sard Al Thahab Award is an annual initiative established by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, inspired by the poetry of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the Nation. The award serves as a platform that combines creativity with intellectual thought, promoting an artistic movement grounded in Sheikh Zayed’s legacy.
Its mission is to enhance the art of Arabic storytelling throughout the Arab world, acknowledging the rich traditions of storytelling in the Arabic language, which include the enduring presence of folk tales and myths central to Arab heritage, culture, and intellectual thought. The award aims to highlight this tradition while supporting its study and expression in contemporary culture.