The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), held an introductory symposium for the ‘Kanz al Jeel’ award, at the 16th edition of the Liwa Date Festival in Al Dhafra Region.
Nabati is a form of vernacular poetry that stems from the many varieties of Arabic in the Arabian Peninsula, which contrasts the poetry written according to the classical rules of literary Arabic. The ‘Kanz al Jeel’ award, launched by the ALC at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in May, celebrates the rich history and heritage of Nabati poetry and aims to preserve this traditional heritage for the next generation. The award honours Nabati poetic works, as well as folk studies and research studies into the subject.
Discussing the award, its objectives, and its categories at the symposium were His Excellency Abdullah Al Ali, Member of the award’s Higher Committee and Acting Director General of the UAE National Archives, and Eissa Saif Al Mazrouei, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Management of Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programmes in Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the award’s Higher Committee.
HE Al Ali noted the diversity of the award’s six categories, which are Poetic Matching, Creative Personality, Arts, Studies And Research, Poetic Publications, and Translation.
HE Al Ali reviewed the general conditions of the award and highlighted that the award allows registration through individual participants, literary unions, cultural institutions, universities, or by receiving three recommendations from distinguished literary and intellectual personalities.
Meanwhile, HE Al Ali added, nominations for the Creative Personality category can only be received from academic, research and cultural institutions, as well as the award’s Higher Committee.
Al Mazrouei indicated that the philosophy of the award and its name were derived from a poem authored by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He stated that the award is a platform through which to honour the efforts and distinguished work done in the field of Nabati poetry, and to highlight the status of this type of literature, which acts as a window into Arabian society.
He emphasised the moral value carried by this award, due to exceptional position in Emirati and Arab society that poems authored by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan occupy.
Al Mazrouei added that the ‘Kanz al Jeel’ award is unique in seeking to preserve the art of Nabati poetry and contributes to the empowerment of all generations by more closely connecting them to their poetic and cultural heritage. He noted that translating the poems of the late Sheikh Zayed into many languages, in addition to translating influential and inspiring Nabataean poetic texts, is a key objective.
