Celebrating Creative Excellence: The 7th Sharjah Award for Gulf Women’s Creativity
Under the esteemed patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the Cultural Office of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah proudly announced the winners of the 7th edition of the Sharjah Award for Gulf Women’s Creativity. This award not only recognizes the literary talents of women across the Gulf region but also nurtures their contributions to arts and culture, heralding a new era of empowerment for female voices in literature.
The awards ceremony was marked by a palpable sense of pride and anticipation, reflecting the growing recognition of women’s creative achievements within the diverse cultural landscape of the Gulf. The award serves a dual purpose: to illuminate the works of female authors while fostering a spirit of healthy competition among them, promoting a richer tapestry of narratives within contemporary Gulf literature.
Among the notable laureates, Dr. Sabah bin Abdul Karim Isawi from Saudi Arabia was commended within the Critical Studies category for her compelling research, entitled The Dialectic of Self and the Other in Arabic Travel Literature: A Critical Perspective. This work represents a significant scholarly contribution, offering insights into the complexities of identity and cultural narratives in travel literature, a genre often laden with intersections of personal and communal histories.
Similarly, Professor Nadia Hanawi Saadon from Iraq was recognized for her remarkable examination titled Self and the Other in Imaginary Travel Narratives, which similarly delves into the intricate relationship between cultural perception and personal experience in literary texts. The Jury Prize in this category was awarded to the scholarly work of Soumaya Ali Raheef, also from Iraq, for her analysis titled Opposites Attract: The Self and the Other in Short Stories. Here, she sheds light on Fathiya Al-Nimr’s narrative Giants and Dwarfs of the Sea, exemplifying the depth of literary analysis prevalent in this year’s submissions.
In the realm of Classical Poetry, Dr. Dalal bin Bandar Al-Maliki was awarded for her evocative poetry collection, Coma, while fellow compatriot Afaf bin Hussein Al-Harbi received accolades for her work, On the Thresholds of Absence. Both collections resonate with themes of identity, absence, and the profound emotional currents that define human connections through poetic expression.
The Children’s Literature category showcased the exceptional talent of young writers, with Badriya bin Mohammed Al-Badri from Oman winning for her imaginative story Me and My Friend. Maryam Khalifa Al-Shehhi from the UAE was acknowledged for her poignant narrative What Does It Mean to Belong? The Jury Prize was awarded to Nada Ahmed Fardan from Bahrain for her enchanting tale The Amazing Shampoo of Feelings, which illustrates the capacity of children’s literature to explore profound themes in accessible and engaging ways.
As the award ceremony concluded, anticipation built around the imminent announcement of the Cultural Personality of the Year, which aims to honor a distinguished Gulf woman whose literary contributions and cultural influence are of exceptional significance. This aspect of the award highlights the wider commitment to promoting not just individual accolades, but also the collective testament to women’s formidable presence in literary circles across the region.
According to Salha Ghabish, Head of the Cultural Office, this year’s edition witnessed a remarkable increase in participant submissions compared to previous years, with each entry reflecting the award’s stringent criteria. She emphasized the unique nature of the Sharjah Award, noting that it is the first of its kind within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) dedicated exclusively to highlighting women’s achievements in various literary forms, including storytelling, poetry, theatre, and children’s literature.
To sustain and encourage a diverse range of literary contributions, the award’s structure undergoes periodic revisions. This year’s implementation included three primary categories: Critical Studies, Classical Poetry, and Children’s Literature – Short Story. The prior edition introduced Playwriting under storytelling, further diversifying avenues for participation and representation.
The Sharjah Award for Gulf Women’s Creativity stands not only as a celebration of literary excellence but also as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring writers in the region, illustrating the potent role of art and storytelling in shaping cultural identities and addressing contemporary societal issues. By championing women’s creativity and scholarship, the award paves the way for future generations of female storytellers and thinkers in the Gulf.
—
Tags:
#CultureNews #LiteraryAwards #GulfWomen #Sharjah #StartupsEntrepreneurship