The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the shortlists for the Arts, Poetic Publications, and Poetry Matching categories of the third edition of the Kanz Al Jeel Award, featuring 14 works from six countries.

In a recent meeting in Abu Dhabi, the Award’s Higher Committee approved candidates who presented works exploring the heritage and values of Nabati poetry. The Committee reviewed the Judging Panel’s reports in the presence of Committee Chairman His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives. Other committee members include Emirati poet Obaid bin Qadlan Al Mazrouei, Kuwaiti researcher Dr. Abdullah Ghleis, Emirati poet and critic Dr. Aisha Al Shamsi, and Egyptian composer, artist, and researcher Hassan Zaki.

The shortlist for the Arts category features six artworks: Hope by Algerian Khalled Sebaa; The Homeland is a Fortress by Ihsan Hakim from Iraq; UAE by Iranian Mahsa Davachi; Oh, Young Men by Nagat Farouk from Egypt; Determination and Courage by Iraqi Somaia Azeez; and Swords and Brave Men by Iraqi Muhanned Qusay.

Meanwhile, in the Poetic Publications category, the Higher Committee selected three collections: The Other Third of Absence by Emirati poet Shaikha Aljaberi, published by Nabati Publishing in 2022; Signatures by Emirati poet Ateeq Khalfan Alkaabi, published by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Initiative for Literary Creativity in 2021; and Diwan Shay Akhar by Emirati poet Hamdan Al Samahi, published by Government of Sharjah - Department of Culture in 2023.

In the Poetry Matching category, five poems were shortlisted: Zayed's Nation by Emirati poet Hamed Al Hashmi; Durue Al'Awtan by Saudi poet Anas Al Musayid; Al Sheikh Nad by Saudi poet Faisal Al Oteibi; Ghayth Al Malahif by Emirati poet Saad Al Ahbabi; and Sayid Al Eawarif by Saudi poet Sami Al Sharabi.

The Higher Committee made the decision not to include a Studies and Research category and Translation category in this third edition of the Kanz Al Jeel Award, which draws its name from a poem by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This year’s edition saw a significant 128% increase in participation compared to last year, reporting 600 entries received from 24 countries, including 19 Arab nations. These figures strengthen the Award’s pioneering role and the prestigious status it has achieved since its inception in 2021.