Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Announces Shortlists for Sard Al Thahab Award’s Second Edition

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has revealed the shortlists for the second iteration of the Sard Al Thahab Award, encompassing a diverse range of literary works from eight countries. The announcement highlights the competition across four categories, with additional awards to be declared in the coming months. According to Emirates News Agency, a total of 15 works are competing in categories including "Short Story for Published Stories", "Popular Narratives", "Short Story for Unpublished Stories", and "Illustrated Story". This selection underscores the award's broad appeal and its success in attracting creative talents from across the Arab world, with entries from the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The "Short Story for Published Stories" category includes notable works such as "The Two Sisters" by Ali AlAbdan from the UAE, "The Last Storyteller in This Time" by Abdulrahman Abbas from Sudan, and "The Green Dragon's Wife and Other Colourful Tales" by Rawaa Sunbol from Syria. These stories reflect a rich tapestry of themes and narratives, showcasing the depth of contemporary Arabic literature. In the "Popular Narratives" category, the shortlist features "Bahraini Folktales: One Thousand and One Tales" by Dr. Dheya Abdulla Khamis AlKaabi from Bahrain and "Encyclopedia of Folktales: One Thousand and Eighty Tales from Northern Upper Egypt" by Dr. Sayed Fares from Egypt, among others. These works highlight the enduring tradition of folktales and their significance in the cultural heritage of the Arab world. Unpublished stories also receive significant attention, with entries like "Rooms with People Running Underneath Them" by Yas AlFahdawi from Iraq and "Biography of a Creature" by Said Alfellak from Morocco competing in the "Short Story for Unpublished Stories" category. This category serves as a platform for emerging writers to showcase their creativity and potential. The "Illustrated Story" category includes diverse mediums such as documentary films, photograp hs, and drawings, with contributions like "Tifan" by Aaesha Alteneiji and "Grandma's Stories" by Nuwair Alhajeri, both from the UAE. This variety illustrates the award's inclusivity and recognition of different forms of storytelling. The Sard Al Thahab Award, inspired by the poetic legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, aims to promote and preserve the art of Arabic storytelling, celebrating its rich traditions while encouraging contemporary expressions and innovations in literature.