Abu dhabi: Launched in 2021 by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the Kanz Al Jeel Award has achieved notable success, quickly establishing itself as one of the region's top literary accolades. The award plays a significant role in documenting the UAE's cultural heritage and celebrating its diversity.
According to Emirates News Agency, over the past four years, Kanz Al Jeel has become a notable platform, attracting a significant number of applicants who view it as a unique opportunity to showcase their creative visions to a wider audience. The Poetry Matching category, in particular, offers poets a space to engage with and echo the poetic legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE.
Ali Obaid Al Hameli, author, media personality, and Chair of the Award's Higher Committee, commented that the award has revitalized Nabati poetry and offered the audience the profound meanings of the late Sheikh Zayed's poetry. He emphasized the importance of engaging younger generations with these poetic treasures.
Obaid bin Qadlan Al Mazrouei, winner of the Poetry Matching category in the award's first edition, highlighted the award's role in reviving and preserving the 'Mujarat' genre, which is currently facing extinction. He noted that the award has helped promote Sheikh Zayed's poetry to a broader audience, solidifying Kanz Al Jeel's status as a prominent literary award in the UAE and the Arab world.
Ali Al Sabaan, winner of the Poetry Matching category in the second edition, remarked on the inspiring message of the Kanz Al Jeel Award, which celebrates folk poetry and pays tribute to national heritage.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre recently closed submissions for the fourth edition of the award, reinforcing its commitment to discovering new creative works rooted in local tradition and strengthening the sense of identity among younger generations.