Dammam Arts celebrates Short Story Day and honors the winners of the House of Narrative Award
In a cultural event reflecting the vibrant literary scene in the Eastern Province, the Dammam branch of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, represented by the House of Narrative, organized a specialized literary evening to celebrate World Short Story Day in its eighth edition this year. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout of writers, intellectuals, and those interested in the art of storytelling, highlighting the aesthetics of this literary art form and honoring creative voices.
The art of condensation and seizing the moment
This celebration comes at a time of growing global interest in the short story, a genre critically described as "the art of condensation" and "capturing the fleeting moment." The evening's program explored this literary form as a key player in the cultural landscape, highlighting the unique ability of short story writers to capture the details of daily life and reshape them into a concise linguistic framework that encapsulates the human experience. Discussions and dialogues throughout the evening focused on the challenges facing short story writers in today's fast-paced world and how to maintain the narrative's brilliance and depth.
House of Narrative: A talent incubator since 2015
During the evening, Tahira Al Saif, a member of the House of Narrative, reviewed the club's impressive journey since its inception in 2015. The House of Narrative is a unique cultural initiative dedicated to serving the art of storytelling (short story, novel, and criticism). Through years of dedicated work, the club has successfully discovered new voices and supported serious writing endeavors, thus building strong bridges between writers and readers and establishing itself as a leading platform that brings together writers and literary figures in the region.
A moment of remembrance for the late Shams Ali
In a touching tribute, the evening dedicated a space to remembering and celebrating the life and work of the late short story writer and author, Shams Ali, who passed away after a life rich in contributions. Shams Ali is considered one of the prominent figures who left a clear mark on the cultural scene of the Eastern Province, both through her short stories that touched upon societal concerns and the details of life, and through her tireless journalistic work. Those present recalled her virtues and her role in encouraging young talent, affirming that her literary legacy will remain present as an integral part of the region's cultural memory.
Crowning the winners of the short story prize
The evening concluded with the awarding of the House of Narrative Short Story Prize to the winners, following a remarkable display of creative competition. The results were as follows:
- First place: Short story writer Rawan Salem for her text “Laundry on the Laundry Line”.
- Second place: Short story writer Ibtisam Fran for her text “A man who is superfluous.”
- Third place: Short story writer Mohammed Al-Dandan for his text “Life on Another Bank”.
This recognition reflects Dammam Arts’ commitment to supporting creativity and motivating writers to continue producing literary texts that elevate public taste and enrich the Arabic library.
