The Emirates Writers Union organised a special celebration of Emirati Writer’s Day at its headquarters in Al Qasba, Sharjah, on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

During the event, the Union announced the winners of the 15th edition of the Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award in the presence of Dr. Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Union, Aisha Sultan, Secretary General of the Award, and the members of the jury.

This year, the Award received entries from 50 Emirati storytellers. The Award was launched in recognition of the late writer Ghanem Ghobash, who played a significant role in enriching the cultural scene in the UAE and in the establishment of the Emirates Writers in 1984.

Poet Sheikha Al Mutairi, Secretary General of the Union, announced the names of the winners of the award. First place was awarded to Fatima Ibrahim Al Ameri for her story “A Voice in My Head Says.” Mona Khalifa Al Hamoudi secured second place for her story “Farhana”, while Noura Abbas AlKhoury won third place for “Lemon’s Sedition“. Mona Abdul Hussein Al Haddad received the fourth– place award for her story “His Heart Was Full,” and Aisha Saeed Al Zaabi came fifth for her story “The Dagger”.

Dr. Sultan Al Amimi welcomed the return of the Ghanem Ghobash Award’s competition after a long hiatus, stating”“The short story has proven through this competition that it is still very much alive, demonstrated by the overwhelming participation of Emirati youth. It is gratifying to see so many people practicing the art of short story writing.”

Al Amimi emphasised that literature does not die, and such a valuable award reaffirms this notion, especially as it bears the name of one of the foremost figures in literature and culture in the country. He noted that the award will continue to evolve and grow in the coming seasons.

Aisha Sultan underlined that the overwhelming participation in the award completely refutes the rumours of people’s refrain from literature, demonstrating the great response to and vitality in the Emirati cultural landscape and its dynamic movement.

She highlighted that cultural activities in the country are almost continuous, with the month of May witnessing significant events such as the Abu Dhabi Book Fair and the announcement of the Arabic Booker Prize, followed by the celebration of the Emirati Writer’s Day, an important event of great significance. She remarked: “All these events occurred within one month, showing that the year is full of cultural events, proving the vitality of the literary and cultural movement in the country.”

Sultan pointed out to the passion of young writers for knowledge and their active participation in various literature and creativity competitions, events, and festivals, demonstrating that the UAE is witnessing a vibrant cultural movement. She emphasised that this year’s award saw an unprecedented participation by young people, which is a sign of a healthy and thriving literary environment. This, she added, requires sustained effort and determination.

Sultan stated that celebrating Emirati Writer’s Day is, in fact, a celebration of literary achievements, connecting different generations and recalling the times when pioneering Emirati writers made significant creative contributions that will endure over the years.

In her speech, Sheikha Al Mutairi praised the pioneers of Emirati literature and emphasized that the award bears the name of the great intellectual figurer, Ghanem Ghobash. The Union chose to name the award after him in recognition and celebration of his lasting impact, aiming to perpetuate these unique contributions.

Al Mutairi stated that the celebration of the award’s winners is part of the Emirati Writer’s Day, which honours creative personalities and literary achievements. She highlighted that honouring the winners of the award is both natural and deserved, a tradition the Union has always upheld. “We are a nation that honours brilliant minds and those with knowledge and words of wisdom, dedicating spaces to the luminous names that have passed through and left behind a beautifuland rich legacy,” she said.

Dr. Badia Al Hashemi, a member of the award jury, delivered a report on the award and the extent of participation. She presented a brief history of the award, which was launched in 1990, highlighting its continuity despite pauses in some periods. She emphasized that the award has now returned with greater strength.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Fatima Al Ameri expressed her pleasure to be part of the group of writers celebrating the Emirati Writer’s Day, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the Emirates Writers Union. She praised the Union as an institution that has nurtured many literary icons in the country and consistently demonstrated its faith in young people while bridging generational gaps.

At the end of the event, Sultan Al Amimi and Aisha Sultan honored the winners of the award and the members of the jury, which included Badia Al Hashemi, Lulwa Al Mansour, Salha Obaed, Abdel Fattah Sabri, and Ibrahim Al Hashemi.