The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation has begun extensive preparations for the 19th edition of its prestigious cultural awards ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, 13 November 2025, at the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai.
The Foundation has sent dozens of invitations to writers, intellectuals, journalists, and prominent figures from the UAE and beyond to attend what is widely regarded as the region’s largest cultural awards event. Held biennially, the awards recognise outstanding achievers across multiple fields of literature, arts, and humanities.
In June, the Foundation announced the winners for 2025 cultural awards. They include Iraqi poet Hamid Said (Poetry); Iraqi novelist and playwright Inaam Kachachi (Short Stroy, Novel, and Drama); Moroccan critic Dr. Hamid Lahmdani (Literary Studies and Criticism); and Tunisian historian Dr. Abdeljalil Al Tamimi (Humanities and Future Studies).
This year’s edition holds special significance as it coincides with the centenary of the late poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais (1925–2000). Each winner’s prize has been increased to $150,000. Throughout 2025, the Foundation has marked the centenary with a series of cultural events celebrating Al Owais’ legacy, including a major concert by musician Mohammed Al Qahoum at Dubai Opera, an international symposium in Paris in collaboration with UNESCO titled “Sultan Al Owais: Journey of Poetry, Journey of Giving”, as well as the publication of books, commemorative coins, stamps, art exhibitions, and other cultural activities.
The Al Owais Cultural Awards are among the most prominent in the Arab world, recognising creators across literary, artistic, and scientific disciplines. They aim to encourage creativity, innovation, and promoting the role of culture in development and progress.
The awards ceremony also provides a platform for fostering cultural dialogue among Arab creators, motivating continued innovation and artistic endeavour. In addition, it reinforces the UAE’s status as a key cultural hub in the region and encourages the growth of the country’s cultural landscape.
