Culture

20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award Announces Longlists

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has unveiled the longlisted works for the Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, and Literary and Art Criticism categories for its 20th edition (2025-2026). The lists were announced as the judging committees began the evaluation of all longlisted entries.

Organised by the ALC, the 20th edition of the award received over 4,000 submissions from 74 countries, including 21 Arab nations and 53 other countries from around the world.

The highest number of submissions was recorded in the Literature category, followed by Young Author and Children’s Literature. Next in the ranking were the Literary and Art Criticism, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Translation, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Editing of Arabic Manuscripts, Publishing and Technology, and Cultural Personality of the Year.

The longlist for the Translation category includes nine titles translated to and from Arabic across four languages: English, Italian, Spanish, and French. Translators represent eight countries: the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria.

Six titles were selected for the Contribution to the Development of Nations category’s longlist, submitted from four Arab countries: Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, and Egypt. The longlisted works address intellectual and knowledge-related issues intersecting with development and the concept of the modern state.

The longlist for the Literary and Art Criticism category features 10 titles from eight countries: the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. The selected works cover a range of topics from literary criticism to philosophy, theatre arts, and identity studies.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), reaffirms its position as one of the most prominent literary and intellectual awards in the Arab world. The award continues to strengthen cultural activity and support translation, authorship, and creativity; it honours creative minds who build bridges between cultures, embodying the UAE’s vision of tolerance, enlightenment, and peace.

Story by WAM

, innovation and diversity, celebrating our community while driving economic and cultural growth. It not only marks a major milestone for the festival but also reaffirms the aspiration of our visionary leadership to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live and work in. With electrifying performances from international artists set to spearhead DSF’s opening weekend, along with pioneering drone and pyro displays, we are igniting an entire season of shared memories and unparalleled opportunities for residents and visitors from around the world.”

Adding style and glamour to the weekend, Bollywood star Nora Fatehi will dazzle audiences at e& DSF Nights, the daily celebrations that will be held at Dubai Festival City Mall. Famed for her high-energy dance performances and infectious rhythms, Fatehi’s live show will take place on 6 December 2025 at the mall’s scenic Festival Bay. The venue will also showcase stunning fireworks at 8.30 pm, promising an evening that radiates cultural vibrancy and celebration.

A Canadian-Moroccan actress, dancer, and global sensation, Fatehi has captivated audiences worldwide with her electrifying performances, from Bollywood blockbusters to viral hits like Dilbar and Garmi. Renowned for her precision, charisma, and unmatched dance artistry, Fatehi is set to deliver a spectacular stage performance.

As part of the broader e& DSF Nights series, the event will feature interactive zones, waterfront attractions, and free public installations, creating an inclusive and unforgettable experience for all ages.

DSF will also feature an exciting and immersive mountain experience at Hatta Wadi Hub for the second year in a row, featuring Candlelight Concerts by Fever, Dinner in the Sky, and the Roxy Dome Cinema.

Experience an outdoor candlelight concert series with incredible music from Vivaldi to Coldplay against the stunning backdrop of the Hatta mountains. Tickets are on sale for AED70. Kids eight years and below can attend the children’s concert happening on 13 December for free.

Debuting in the Hatta mountains, this elevated experience invites guests to enjoy a scenic meal in the clouds. Suspended 50 metres above the ground, diners can take in spectacular views while enjoying a unique dinner priced at AED300.

Enhancing the spectacle further, DSF will unveil its all-new Drone and Pyro Show, a mesmerising technological marvel featuring more than 1,000 drones, including 100 pyro drones, across two nightly displays. Fusing art and innovation, these breathtaking shows will illuminate the city skyline with colour and creativity, symbolising Dubai’s visionary and future-forward spirit. A Dubai-inspired soundtrack by legendary composer Hans Zimmer will be used for the drone display, where thousands of synchronised drones will dance through the night sky, transforming the city’s skyline into a cinematic symphony of light and sound.

Tickets for e& DSF Nights are now available to purchase via PlatinumList.net, with limited early bird tickets starting from AED50. Fans are urged to secure their seats early before they sell out. Two additional A-list concerts at Coca-Cola Arena and e& DSF Nights will soon be announced, adding to the festival’s star-studded entertainment lineup.

This year’s DSF introduces even more opportunities for shoppers from the very first day. Shoppers will have the chance to win a brand-new Nissan and AED100,000 every day at the DSF Mega Raffle, culminating in a spectacular grand prize of AED400,000 on the festival’s closing day.

DSF 2025-2026 is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai, and Strategic Partners including: Al-Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall and Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Souq Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nad Al Sheba Mall, Palm Jumeirah Mall and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, Enoc, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat plus more to be revealed.

Story by WAM

Culture

Three Eid holidays in one year?

Residents in the UAE and the wider Muslim world are set to experience a rare astronomical alignment in 2039, with three Eid festivals falling within a single Gregorian calendar year.

According to renowned climate and astronomical expert Dr. Abdullah Al Misnad from Saudi Arabia, the unusual alignment stems from the way the Islamic lunar calendar gradually shifts against the solar Gregorian calendar, advancing by roughly 11 days each year.

Double Hajj and the Day of Arafat

The drift will lead to a remarkable convergence in 2039. The year will begin with the first Eid Al Adha falling on January 6, 2039, corresponding to 10 Dhul Hijjah 1460, the traditional culmination of Hajj and the major festival of sacrifice. But that won’t be the only one.

Nearly 12 months later, the lunar calendar will complete its full cycle again, and a second Hajj season will begin, culminating in another Eid Al Adha on December 26, corresponding to the 10th of Dhul Hijjah in the year 1461.

This means that two separate pilgrimages to Mecca will be performed within a single solar year, an exceedingly rare feat.

Even more unusual: both occasions will come with their own Day of Arafat, the spiritually charged day preceding the Eid, when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat to pray.

Sandwiched between these two events will be Eid Al Fitr, expected to fall on October 19, 2039. Three Eids in a single year, two sacrificial and one celebratory, amount to an unparalleled spiritual cycle of fasting, pilgrimage, prayer, and festivity.

The lunar calendar’s shift is not limited to the Hajj season. Ramadan, the holiest month of fasting and spiritual reflection, will also experience a similar occurrence in the near future.

Two Ramadans in 2030

In 2030, Muslims will observe two Ramadans within the same Gregorian year, one beginning in January and another starting in December. This event will be the first double Ramadan in 33 years, following the last occurrence in 1997.

The Islamic Hijri calendar is based on the phases of the moon and consists of 354 or 355 days. The Gregorian calendar, which follows the solar cycle, consists of 365 or 366 days. This mismatch causes Islamic dates to shift earlier each year by approximately 10 to 11 days.

Gulf News

Culture

Al-Jouf to Launch 19th Olive Festival

The digital media conference for the 19th Al-Jouf International Olive Festival 2026 unveiled today the highlights of the festival, showcasing innovative experiences that combine the richness of the olive world with the authenticity of Saudi culture.
Held annually under the patronage of Governor of Al-Jouf Region Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the festival, running from January 8 to 17 in Sakaka, will feature 45 olive farms, 10 agricultural companies, and participants from seven countries.
Secretary of the region and chairman of the festival’s higher committee Atef Al-Shar’an said that the festival helps empower farmers and promote the quality of olive oil locally and regionally.
This year’s festival will include a new operetta, an international olive kitchen with chefs from several countries, six play areas, and three musical zones.
— SPA

Culture

Sharjah Ruler opens 22nd Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened the 22nd Sharjah Festival of Arabic Poetry on Monday evening. The festival, which runs for seven days, brings together more than 80 poets, critics, and media professionals.

H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees viewed a recorded presentation titled “Years of Poetry,” which highlighted His Highness’s efforts and initiatives in establishing poetry houses across the Arab world, which are now celebrating their tenth anniversary. The poetry houses have played a vital role in maintaining the Arab poetic movement and have become cultural hubs that promote the Arabic language, fostering creativity and facilitating connections among poets and critics.

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan honoured Dr Ahmed Balboula, the recipient of the Sharjah Prize for Arabic Poetry, alongside the winners of the Sharjah Prize for Poetry Criticism. The winners included Mahrez Ben Mohsen Rachdi from Tunisia in first place, Al Mahdi Al Araj from Morocco in second, and Al Hassan Mohamed Mahmoud from Mauritania in third.

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan and the audience enjoyed poetry readings by Emirati poet Najat Al Dhaheri, Dr Ahmed Balboula of Egypt, and Hazbar Mahmoud of Iraq.

The 22nd Sharjah Festival of Arabic Poetry showcases over 80 poets, critics, and media professionals from across the Arab world and several African nations. This festival serves as a platform for open dialogue, enabling participants to engage in meaningful discussions and to interact directly. It not only facilitates the exchange of visions and experiences but also helps to spotlight emerging voices and foster their growth within the literary community.

The festival is scheduled to feature a series of poetry readings and evening festivities, along with a designated book-signing area featuring a select group of poets. Arab readers will also have the chance to explore the works of 12 new winners of the Golden Rhyme Award, whose poetry has been highlighted in the magazine’s 12 issues throughout 2025.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office; Rashid Ahmed bin Al Sheikh, Chairman of the Amiri Diwan; Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture; and Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality. Several officials, poets, critics, and poetry enthusiasts also joined to celebrate this vibrant event.

WAM