The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has officially closed the submissions stage for the fourth edition of its Kanz Al Jeel Award, which was launched to honour outstanding works of Nabati poetry, folklore-focused research, and studies that delve into the heritage and authentic values of Nabati verse.

The award forms part of the Centre’s wider vision to preserve intangible cultural heritage and enhance its presence in both intellectual and creative spheres.

The fourth edition of the award received a total of 830 entries across its six categories, submitted from 35 countries, including 19 Arab nations. This marks a 38% increase from the third edition, which received 601 entries, reflecting the growing recognition and prestige of the Kanz Al Jeel award among literary awards. This progress, in turn, underscores the strong presence of Emirati culture and heritage within the Nabati poetry space in the Arab World and globally.

Egypt topped the list of participating countries with 293 entries, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 90 entries, Oman with 82, and the UAE and Jordan with 64 entries each. These figures indicate that the award has established a significant presence in the Gulf and Arab cultural sectors.

This year’s edition of the award also welcomed entries from more than 16 non-Arab nations, including countries participating for the first time, such as Colombia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Germany, Serbia, Sweden, Nigeria, and Ukraine. This diverse international participation of the award reflects its growing global appeal and its success in fostering cultural exchange via Nabati poetry and its related artforms.

The Kanz Al Jeel Award’s Reading Panel Committee convened its first meeting after submissions were closed, chaired by Ali Obaid Al Hameli, an acclaimed writer and columnist, and Chair of the award’s Higher Committee. The meeting was also attended by academic advisor Professor Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, poet Obaid bin Qadlan Al Mazrouei, and author and researcher Mohamed Abu Zeid. The committee debated selection and evaluation criteria to assess submitted works while ensuring the maximum possible transparency, accuracy, and adherence to literary and artistic quality standards.

“The fourth edition of the Kanz Al Jeel Award marks a true milestone in its journey, with a record number of submissions from a diverse range of geographical locations and fields,” said Ali Obaid Al Hameli. “This reflects the award’s growing reputation as a global platform to celebrate Nabati poetry and revive it in the hearts and minds of the new generations.”

“The creative momentum and distinct range of voices we witnessed this year reaffirm the strong emotional and intellectual connection that Arab societies continue to feel towards this cherished artform,” he continued. “It reassures us that Nabati poetry remains a living manifestation of cultural identity, and an artistic expression that is not bound by language but speaks to the collective soul.”

Al Hameli went on to note that: “The award’s growing success year after year embodies and advances the UAE’s vision to preserve intangible cultural heritage, strengthen its presence in contemporary life, and highlight its blend of poetic beauty and human depth. Kanz Al Jeel Award is steadily moving forward with its mission to consolidate authentic poetic creativity and open new prospects for emerging young talent to engage with this artistic legacy, through a platform that appreciates talent, rewards excellence, and celebrates both the future and deep-rooted tradition.”

For the second year running, the Poetry Matching category attracted the most entries, with 465 submissions, accounting for more than 56% of all entries. The Arts category followed with 281 entries, then Poetic Publications with 26, Translation with 11, and Studies & Research with 10 submissions. There was a remarkable growth in the Creative Personality category, with 37 nominations, compared to just 10 in the previous edition. This clearly indicates the growing awareness of the importance of honouring and recognising influential personalities in the cultural movement.

Moreover, the award’s fourth edition saw strong participation from women, with 263 entries this year, up from 131 in the previous cycle, reflecting their increasing involvement in the Nabati poetry cultural scene. The list also included submissions from leading publishing houses and cultural institutions, further strengthening the award’s partnerships with academic and community establishments involved in this artform.

The evaluation process for the shortlisted entries will begin shortly, with each of the six categories being assessed by a dedicated expert panel of judges.

Inspired by a poem composed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, the Kanz Al Jeel Award is committed to upholding its role as a leading platform for celebrating Nabati creativity, preserving Emirati and Arab poetic heritage, promoting its aesthetic and human values among younger generations. The award also honours the brilliant minds that have contributed to preserving this art form and heritage for the future.

Recorded figures from this edition of the award clearly demonstrate its widening reach and stronger presence on the regional and international cultural scenes, reinforcing its role in identifying new talent and ensuring the continuity of Nabati poetry in the nation’s collective memory.