24 January 2021
Dr. Dheya Al-Kaabi Won the First Prize at Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi Award for Literary Studies category
The Bahraini Assistant Professor of Literary Criticism and Narrative, Dr. Dheya Abdullah Al Kaabi, won the first at Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi Award “ also known as Fatat Al-Arab (Girl of the Arabs),” for Literary Studies category in its first edition. The award ceremony was held in the presence of the Founder and Sponsor of the award, renowned Emirati businessman, Khalaf Al Habtoor, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE’s Minister of Culture and Youth, Her Excellency Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development and Dr. Rafia Ghobash, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees and founder of the Women’s Museum.
Dr.Dheya Al Kaabi’s award tribute honor came after the Arbitration Committee’s decision to nominate the Bahraini Asssitant Professor, among other participants, for the Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi Award. Worth to mention that Bahrain Culture Authority has requested Dr. Dheya Al Kaabi to participate in this contest, given her cultural and literary criticism achievements and publications.
In addition, Dr.Dheya Al Kaab also took part in the first forum on Ousha Bint Khalifa Al-Suwidi’s Poetry, presenting a critical study on “Distinction Eloquence: Women Discourse in the GCC Nabataean Poetry: Ousha Al-Suwaid’s Poetry an Example”. A number of academics and poets, such as Nawwal-Al Yateem, DR. Amal Amer, Dr. Nasser Al Saidi, Aysha Ebrahim and Abdulaziz Al-Ameeri, also attended the forum.
Worth mentioning that Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi Award “also known as Fatat Al-Arab (Girl of the Arabs) was launched under the slogan “Poetry’s Rhymes as smooth as rocks”. The late poet award launch is considered an inspiring cultural and national award initiative, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of this poetic stature, “Fatat al Arab”, which enriched the cultural scene from the early 1940s until now, and as part of commemorating the late poet’s memorial poetical legacy. A prize has its own character and uniqueness as the first award in the name of a woman in the field of poetry in honor of her poetic status and talent, in recognition of her literary biography, her tireless cultural achievements and her poetic production, which added great value to the Arab Library. "The Arab Girl” was a poetic stature, and an honorable example for Emirati women, and the award will contribute to the discovery of young poetic talents in the local literary scene, and will provide an opportunity for talented people in the literary field to hone their skills and develop their abilities and knowledge, through poetry systems inspired by the legacy of the late, so that her poetry and her legacy will remain alive in the hearts of the younger generations. Ousha rose to become a prominent cultural figure and was given the nickname "Fatat Al Khaleej" (Girl of the Gulf). Her poetry, written in classical Arabic, covered a variety of themes including love, wisdom, nostalgia, praise, and patriotic sentiments. She is regarded as one of the finest Arabic Nabati poets with a large number of her poems sung by popular Emirati and Arab artists. Her work has been influential in the development of Nabati poetry in the UAE, particularly among young female poets. Thanks to Ousha's encouragement, the poetic voice of women became strong and essential to the cultural scene across the Emirates.
