Sharjah commemorates 4 Egyptian talented authors in Cairo

This forum is part of His Highness's mission to recognize literary figures who have made significant contributions to modern Arab culture. This year’s event was extra special as it was the sixth time the forum has been hosted in Egypt, having previously honored 17 Egyptian creatives. 

The ceremony took place at the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo and saw the attendance of many notable figures, including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, the Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, and other distinguished writers, thinkers, and intellectuals. 

Egyptian poet Obaid Abbas hosted the event, highlighting Sharjah's role as a leader in supporting culture and the arts, and how it has enhanced the Arab cultural landscape through its ongoing initiatives. 

In his speech, Abdullah Al Owais talked about the strong partnership between Sharjah and Egypt in the arts and culture, which has led to many exciting events, including theater, poetry, stories, and literary awards. He expressed pride in returning to Egypt to honor a new group of writers, showing appreciation for their valuable contributions to literature. 

Al Owais emphasized that this collaboration reflects the deep ties between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, strengthened by the wise leadership of both nations. He also conveyed greetings from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to the honorees, expressing gratitude to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for their ongoing support of Arab cultural initiatives. 

Pride and appreciation

At the start of his speech, Professor Al-Azzizi greeted everyone, saying, "Welcome to the Supreme Council of Culture! We're here for the 21st session of the Sharjah Cultural Honors Forum in the Arab world, and this is the 6th time it’s being held in Egypt. This wonderful event is a special initiative from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and is done in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture." 

He went on to say, "In this special edition, we celebrate a group of writers and authors who have greatly enriched our cultural life. They represent the creative and intellectual spirit of Egypt, using their writing to advocate for the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. This celebration acknowledges the important contributions of creative minds to culture and creativity throughout the Arab world." 

Al-Azzizi added that this honor is particularly meaningful because it takes place in the writers' own countries, surrounded by their families. He noted, "Sharjah is here to recognize the creative individuals in their own environments, showing support and pride in their important cultural and humanitarian roles. This is the sixth time we have held this event in Egypt, having honored seventeen Egyptian writers over the past four years." 

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt shared his heartfelt thanks to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, stating, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Emirate of Sharjah and its Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This wonderful initiative and the impactful activities of Sharjah are not surprising, given the many cultural events organized in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Culture. Events like the Sharjah Narrative Forum and the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity Forum, which has taken place here multiple times, highlight our successful collaboration. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to continuing our efforts to support creativity and creators, enriching life, and promoting beauty, love, and friendship between our two nations.” 

Knowledge and creativity beacon

The honorees praised the efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, highlighting how active he has been in promoting Arab culture. They pointed out that Sharjah is making great strides in using culture as a key part of building strong individuals and communities. The cultural initiatives from Sharjah have become a shining example of knowledge and creativity. 

Shawqi Badr applauded the cultural impact of Sharjah’s leader, noting that the forum is a unique opportunity to honor talented writers and authors from across the Arab world. This support is aimed at enhancing the current landscape of Arab culture. 

Dr. Salah Al-Saruri shared his joy at receiving this honor, viewing it as an important step forward for Arab writers. He also acknowledged the significant cultural role that Sharjah has played since the 1970s. 

Writer Itidal Othman expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful initiative, saying, "I take great pride in this recognition, just as I do in my own writing journey." 

Writer Ezzat El-Qamhawi reflected on his experiences and said, "A writer isn’t just born; they start as readers. But the circumstances that lead to their development as a writer can vary greatly. Those who are naturally drawn to books often have a deep passion for reading that can’t always be explained by having books at home or by coming from a family of readers."

Acknowledgments

At the end of the ceremony, Abdullah Al Owais, Mohammed Al Qaseer, and Al Azzazi presented certificates of appreciation to four honored individuals. These certificates were signed by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and recognized the honorees for their contributions to literature and culture in the Arab world. 

Documentary

During the Sharjah Cultural Honors Forum, attendees enjoyed watching a documentary that showcased a filming scene from their visits to Egypt. This forum has a rich history, having started in Egypt and traveled across the Arab world for over twenty editions. The documentary also featured photographs of the honorees from this year's event, bringing back memories of the forum's journey and the individuals celebrated.  

Publications

The ceremony to honor individuals included a special exhibition showcasing various publications from the Sharjah Department of Culture. This featured magazines like the Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al Rafid, Al Qawafi, and Al Masrah, along with a selection of books that covered topics such as poetry, novels, theater, criticism, and other creative works. Guests at the event also had the opportunity to buy these publications.