Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) is set to begin accepting applications from talented Emirati writers aged 18 and above for its Short Story Writing Workshop, which is a part of the Qalam Creative Writing Programme. The application period will last for three months, starting from 15th February 2025. The workshop is the first initiative launched by the Qalam Creative Writing Programme this year.
According to Emirates News Agency, the workshop will be led by Dr. Abdeddayem Salami, an Assistant Professor at the Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Humanities and an expert in modern narrative and criticism. The initiative aims to establish the ALC as a patron of Emirati creative talent, support promising writers to hone their skills, and enable them to experiment with creative projects under expert guidance.
Held at the ALC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the workshop is designed to assist participants in developing advanced skills in writing short stories and understanding all elements of this literary form. It seeks to enable talented authors to draft and edit their own stories, prepare them for publication, and acquire advanced text analysis skills. This effort aligns with the Centre's strategy to nurture literary talent across the UAE.
The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre has invited Emirati writers who meet the necessary requirements to register for the workshop by filling out the dedicated form on its website by 6 February 2025. The Qalam Creative Writing Programme applies innovative training techniques to enable Emirati authors to develop their skills in line with the ALC's objectives.
The Centre remains committed to publishing the creative works participants complete under the Programme, following rigorous evaluation by an independent committee. Additionally, it aims to create opportunities for writers to participate in the various local and international cultural forums that the ALC organises.