The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation capped its programmes and events in 2025 with a series of notable successes and exceptional milestone that left a clear mark on the local and Arab cultural landscape. Throughout the year, the Foundation rolled out a rich and diverse cultural programme, organising a wide range of events and activities across the UAE and beyond in celebration of the centenary of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais. These initiatives helped generate a vibrant cultural movement that engaged various segments of society, while reinforcing the enduring presence of Sultan Al Owais’s creative legacy in the collective cultural memory.
UNESCO had designated 2025 as the year to commemorate the centenary of poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais’s birth (1925–2025), a recognition that underscored the global standing of his cultural legacy. In this context, the Foundation allocated a dedicated budget to commemorate the occasion and announced an increase in the value of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award to $150,000 for each of its five categories, bringing the total prize value to $750,000.
The awards are distributed across the following fields: Poetry; Short Story, Novel and Drama; Literary and Critical Studies; Humanities and Future Studies; and the Cultural and Scientific Achievement Award. The move was aimed at strengthening the award’s stature and reinforcing its leading role in supporting and promoting Arab culture and creativity.
The celebratory year opened with the launch of an exclusive collection of commemorative stamps by 7X, in collaboration with the Foundation, honouring the late Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures of the UAE’s economic, social and cultural renaissance, and is remembered as a vital link between two generations of writers and poets, as well as a leading figure in charitable and humanitarian work both within the UAE and beyond.
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has partnered with the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation to release a limited edition of silver commemorative coin, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais (1925-2025). The silver coin features a moving verse from Al Owais’s poetry on its obverse: “My homeland is my blood, flowing between my wings, as if it and soul are the same.”
On the reverse side, a portrait of Al Owais is accompanied by the inscriptions “Central Bank of the UAE” and “Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation” in both Arabic and English. It also includes the phrase “Centenary of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais” in Arabic, the years 1925-2025, and the coin’s face value. Weighing 60 grams and with a nominal value of Dh100, only 1,000 of these silver coins will be issued. The coins were handed over to the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation and are available for purchase at its headquarters.
On Thursday, 23 January 2025, the centenary celebrations of the late poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais were officially inaugurated with a major concert titled “Nagham in Dubai”, held at Dubai Opera. The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The concert was also attended by Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as well as a distinguished gathering of intellectuals and public figures. The evening opened with a musical performance by the Heritage Symphony Orchestra, featuring more than 60 musicians and vocalists under the baton of Maestro Mohammed Al Qahoum. The programme included Gulf heritage compositions interwoven with sung excerpts from the poetry of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, offering a rich artistic tribute to his enduring literary legacy.
As part of the centenary celebrations, the Al Owais Cultural Foundation hosted a book signing event on Wednesday, February 19, for “Creative Images in the Poetry of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais” by author Abdul Ghaffar Hussein. During the evening, the author reflected on the circumstances surrounding the writing of the book and its key themes, drawing on personal memories and encounters that shaped his relationship with the late poet. The book was issued and published by the Foundation as part of its centennial programme documenting and celebrating Al Owais’s literary legacy. Through vivid recollections, linguistic nuances and evocative imagery, Abdul Ghaffar reflected on his experiences with the late poet, bringing to life the essence of his literary legacy.
On the evening of Wednesday, February 26, the Al Owais Cultural Foundation hosted the art exhibition “Words Breathe Beauty” at its headquarters. Inspired by the poetry of the late Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, the show featured 76 artworks by 56 artists from the UAE, the wider Arab world and internationally.
The works spanned a wide range of artistic forms, including Arabic calligraphy, oil and watercolour paintings, sculpture and mixed-media compositions. Drawing on the poet’s life, ideas and national values, participating artists translated his literary legacy into visual expressions. Verses from Al Owais’s poetry appeared prominently in calligraphic and decorative works, presented as artistic icons that reflected a deep emotional and intellectual engagement with his poetic experience.
On the evening of Wednesday, April 6, the Al Owais Cultural Foundation hosted an art exhibition “Written Jewels – Ornamentation & Calligraphy Dialogue” by renowned artists Tagalsir Hassan and Marwan Aridi. The exhibition presented the culmination of artistic journeys spanning more than four decades. Featuring over 70 artworks, the showcase brought together calligraphy, ornamentation, gilding and oriental ornaments, creating a rich visual harmony that combined traditional elements with contemporary artistic creativity, offering a captivating visual experience.
During its participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, held from April 26 to May 5, 2025, the Al Owais Cultural Foundation organised a series of cultural activities at its pavilion. The Foundation showcased hundreds of titles from its publications, including the “Pioneers from the UAE” series, which documents the journeys and achievements of Emirati creatives, and the “Winners” series, dedicated to publishing the works of recipients of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award. The display also featured books drawn from the Foundation’s long-running programme of lectures and seminars, alongside additional publications reflecting its longstanding and leading cultural identity.
As part of its participation, the Foundation, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, organised a central seminar titled “100 Years Since the Birth of Sultan Al Owais: An Arab Cultural Beacon”, on Tuesday, April 29. The Foundation’s pavilion also hosted a series of book-signing events. These included the signing of “Poetic Brilliance – A Critical Reading of the Poetry of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais” by Samar Ruhi on Sunday, April 27, followed by the launch of “The Mother of Emirati Media – Hessa Al Ossaily” by Aisha Al Busmait on Wednesday, April 30, The programme concluded with a signing ceremony for “Saif Bin Arhama Al Shamsi” by Dr. Sheikha Al Shamsi on Thursday, May 1.
As part of its broader cultural collaboration, the Foundation also organised, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Culture and Arts Group, a dialogue session as part of the Poetry Nights Majlis, titled “Sultan Al Owais – Trailblazing Poetry and the Allure of the Sea”, held on Saturday, May 3. Amid a vibrant cultural presence, the Foundation hosted a grand cultural event on Tuesday, May 27, to mark Emirati Writers ‘Day with a book signing for recently published Emirati works (2024 and 2025).
Among the most prominent events featured in the 2025 cultural programme was a grand cultural gathering held to mark Emirati Writers’ Day. The event brought together more than 100 Emirati writers from different creative generations to sign their latest publications from 2024 and 2025. It took place on Tuesday, May 27, at the Grand Exhibition Hall at the Foundation’s headquarters, and was attended by a large gathering of Emirati writers, intellectuals and cultural figures.
The event formed a notable cultural showcase, with participants expressing their appreciation for an initiative that brought together such a wide spectrum of Emirati creatives. The event played a key role in strengthening dialogue between creative generations and reinforcing the continuity and renewal of the cultural landscape.
In a visual tribute to the late Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, an exhibition titled “Words Breathe Beauty” was organised at UNESCO’s Miro Hall in Paris, on September 8. The show, inspired by Al Owais’s poetry, brings together art and photography that reflect the depth of his legacy.
The exhibition features 28 works of art, ranging from calligraphy and abstract compositions to gilded and ornamental letterforms, created by leading Arab and international artists. Every piece in the exhibition draws inspiration from Al Owais’s popular poetry, with sculptures and paintings reflecting the poet’s life, ideas, and deep-rooted national values.
On September 11 and 12, the Foundation, in collaboration with UNESCO, organised a groundbreaking international symposium “Sultan Al Owais… A Journey of Poetry… A Journey of Giving”, at UNESCO headquarters. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the symposium was attended by Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, UAE Ambassador to France; H.E. Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture; H.E. Dr. Sulaiman Mousa Al Jassim, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation; and H.E. Ali Al Haj Al Ali, UAE Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Chair of the Arab Group. H.E. Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Secretary General of the Al Owais Foundation, several heads of permanent international delegations to UNESCO, distinguished intellectuals, authors and media professionals.
On the sidelines of the symposium, a small exhibition of the Foundation’s publications was held, alongside the presentation of selected translations of Sultan Al Owais’s poetry into French by Antoine Jockey, and into English by Dr Omnia Amin. Both translations were published under the title “Ashes of Love”. The exhibition also saw the release of two books: “Sultan bin Ali Al Owais: A Life of Service and Giving” by Ibrahim Al Hashimi, and “The Poetic Brilliance in the Poetry of Sultan Al Owais” by Dr. Samar Ruhi Al Faisal.
The Foundation has also commissioned a group of accomplished translators to produce selected translations of Al Owais’s poetry into German, Turkish, Greek and Spanish, further extending the reach of his literary legacy to international audiences.
The most prominent highlight of the centenary celebrations was the announcement by the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award of honouring and conferring the Cultural Achievement Award, in its 19th edition, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to culture and knowledge over decades worldwide. The recognition comes in appreciation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s exceptional journey, which has made giving a way of life, development a mission, people the central focus, and the future a noble and enduring goal.
In a statement by the Award’s Board of Trustees, the Foundation affirmed that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s journey was not merely a succession of achievements, but an integrated vision that placed people at the heart of progress, made knowledge a tool for change, peace a universal approach and giving an enduring legacy. Every project and institution he launched has been a beacon of hope and inspiration. The statement added that the award is a recognition of a leadership reflects a unique model of comprehensive renaissance linking humanity, knowledge, culture, economy and peace, and redefining the very meaning of achievement.
The Sultan Owais Cultural Foundation organised a three-day celebration honouring the winners of the 19th edition of its awards, from November 11 to 13. The programme also feature two panel discussions led by Moroccan critic Hamid Lahmidani and Iraqi novelist Inaam Kachachi. The celebrations concluded on Thursday, November 13, with an honouring ceremony of the winners, held at InterContinental Hotel. The ceremony culminated with a distinguished performance by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy’s Orchestra, featuring 45 musicians who presented a selection of Arab, traditional, and Khaleeji pieces. The programme also featured a photo exhibition of the laureates, a testimonial session in which they reflected on their creative journeys, and book-signing events for their works published by the Foundation.
On Friday, November 21, the Foundation hosted a special screening of “Shadows of That Light”, a documentary that explores the life of poet Sultan Al Owais. Directed by Emirati poet and filmmaker Nujoom Al Ghanem, the film was screened at Vox Cinemas Wafi Mall in Dubai. The event drew an audience of writers, artists, intellectuals and journalists, including H.E. Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Al Owais Cultural Foundation; Dr. Fatima Al Sayegh, Member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees; H.E. Bilal Al Budoor, Chairman of the Cultural and Scientific Association; alongside several public figures. The 60-minute film received widespread acclaim from attendees for its innovative artistic vision, which presented a cohesive audio-visual portrait of the poet Sultan Al Owais.
At the conclusion of its cultural programme for 2025, the Foundation organised a seminar titled “The UAE’s Cultural Diplomacy: Soft Power Beyond Borders” The event highlighted the importance of culture as an extension of modern diplomatic practice, as well as the UAE’s success in strategically deploying culture as part of its vision for civilisational dialogue and openness to the world. The symposium highlighted the UAE’s success in deploying culture intelligently as part of its vision for civilisational dialogue and openness to the world.
