First Ever Annual New Fairytales & Fables from the UAE Writing Competition launched
Dubai, UAE, 21st February 2016 – Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) has recently announced in partnership with ZUKarareef Story Telling Club and Sheikha AlYazia bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan’s ZOWD Foundation “The First Annual New Fairytales & Fables from the UAE Writing Competition”. Commencing from February 19th, the competition celebrates the art of storytelling within Emirati culture while contributing to HH Sheikh Mohammed’s efforts to encourage reading and writing in Arabic.
The contest is one of the many reading initiatives and culture literacy programs meant to encourage reading and writing during the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum “Year of Reading Campaign”. Students will be asked to compose their own “fairytales and fables” in less than 500 words, in either Arabic or English language. Each fairytale and fable should reflect one of the characters from Emirati Folklore and reflect one of the 40 themes and values chosen by the contest organizers. The themes focus on Emirati values and character traits, while encouraging Emirati values and discouraging behaviors that are inconsistent with Emirati culture.
Says Mr. Nasif Kayed, Managing Director, SMCCU “We are very excited to be part of The First Ever Annual New Fairytales & Fables from the UAE Writing Competition. Such initiatives not only promote Emirati culture but also foster creative yearnings among young students.”
The Competition is open for students from grades 7-12 and are categorized into two groups: Students from Grade 7-9 and Students from Grade 10-12. Schools are required to host an internal competition and are encouraged to invite as many students as possible. Topics and themes were announced on February 19th, 2016, with the submission deadline set for March 19th, 2016 which coincides with World Story Telling Day 2016. Winners of the competition will have their story illustrated and published in a short story book.
Students who wish to enter the contest can do so by registering themselves or their school at: www.tinyurl.com/UAENFF2016.
