The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has opened the nominations period for the third edition of its Sard Al Thahab (Golden Narrative) Award and will be accepting submissions until 31 May 2025.
The Sard Al Thahab Award, whose name is inspired by the ideas and poetry of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, was launched to honour narrators of biographies and folk tales, enrich storytelling arts, and revive the tradition of folk narration among younger generations both in the UAE and across the Arab world. This initiative provides narrators with a showcase for their traditional storytelling and heritage works and supports the continuity of folk and narrative arts. The award sheds light on the rich cultural legacy of storytelling and narrative arts, while highlighting the role of myths and folk tales in shaping collective and emotional memory.
Since its launch in 2023, the award has seen continuous growth. In its previous edition, it received 1,213 nominations across its six categories from 34 countries, including 19 Arab nations, marking a 23% increase in participation from the 983 submissions received in the inaugural edition.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, revealed that the Centre expects the third edition to attract widespread participation, noting that the award has quickly established itself as a prominent platform for folk, visual, and storytelling arts, as well as a hub for practitioners and enthusiasts of these art forms.
H.E. bin Tamim said: “Narrative arts, short stories, and folk tales, among other forms of creative expression, are powerful tools capable of channelling our heritage and embedding it into our community’s collective memory across generations. Championing these art forms, the Sard Al Thahab Award has become one of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s most prominent initiatives, reflecting a commitment to fostering cultural and intellectual diversity, encouraging innovation, and supporting research into culture and heritage. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider mission of enabling intercultural dialogue and reinforcing Arabic as a language of art, science, and knowledge.”
Across its six categories, Sard Al Thahab Award honours narrators of biographies and folk tales, supports storytelling arts that creatively highlight Emirati and Arab heritage, and draws inspiration from deep-rooted cultural values. It also seeks to promote a profound understanding of this cultural heritage and ensure it is passed down to future generations.
Among the six categories are Short Story for Unpublished Stories, which celebrates new narrative works and facilitates their publication; Short Story for Published Stories, which showcases artistic reinterpretations of folk heritage; and Popular Narratives, which recognises tales and studies that analyse folk storytelling and its role in shaping cultural identity.
Additionally, the Narrators category honours storytellers of folk biographies at the local and Arab levels, while Illustrated Story acknowledges works that merge literary text with artistic imagery. Finally, the Emirati Narration category grants the award to individuals, institutions, or outstanding works, in Arabic or other languages, that enhance the Emirati narrative and reinforce the values of the UAE’s Founding Fathers and leaders, including cultural advancement and exchange, dialogue, tolerance, moderation, and coexistence among human beings.
Applicants must select the category that best suits their submission and complete the nomination form, which can be accessed on the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s website (www.alc.ae) or requested via email at sardalthahab@dctabudhabi.ae. Submissions must include five copies of the nominated work, along with the applicant’s CV outlining academic and creative achievements, a copy of their passport, and a personal photograph.
The submission criteria require all works to be written in Arabic, except for the Emirati Narration category, which accepts works in other languages. Each participant may submit only one entry per cycle of the award, and the work must not have won another award in the same year. Previously submitted works may be resubmitted if they meet the updated eligibility requirements.
The Sard Al Thahab Award is open to individuals as well as academic and cultural institutions. Entries to the Emirati Narration category must be nominated by academic, research, or cultural institutions, or the award’s higher committee. Works that have previously won a major Arab or international award are not eligible, and each submission must comply with the nomination form’s specific requirements. A work may be resubmitted in subsequent cycles, provided it meets the time requirement and that a request is submitted in that regard.
The selection process involves multiple stages to select the short and long lists, followed by selecting and honouring the winners. The award follows rigorous and fair governance standards, overseen by expert committees, offering a total annual prize pool for the winners that amounts AED 2 million.
