In a special cultural evening, the Dammam Culture and Arts Association, in collaboration with the “House of Narrative” initiative, celebrated World Short Story Day in its eighth edition this year. The event served as a vibrant platform to highlight this refined literary art form and honor emerging narrative voices in the Saudi cultural scene, emphasizing the pivotal role played by cultural institutions in supporting and enriching the local literary movement.
Background of the celebration and the importance of the short story
World Short Story Day is celebrated annually on February 14th. This global event aims to recognize and appreciate this literary genre, which is distinguished by its ability to distill human experiences and offer profound insights in concise texts. The short story is considered a literary art form capable of capturing the details of everyday life and transforming them into a powerful work of art, making it accessible and impactful for the reader. In the Saudi context, the art of the short story has witnessed remarkable development over the past decades, evolving from initial attempts to a mature art form that reflects the Kingdom's profound social and cultural transformations.
Details of the cultural evening
The evening's events focused on introducing the short story as a vibrant literary art form within the cultural landscape, highlighting its ability to capture and immortalize fleeting human moments. The gathering featured open dialogue and textual readings, with several short story writers sharing their experiences and perspectives on narrative and creative writing. The evening also included a special segment honoring the late short story writer Shams Ali, showcasing her cultural achievements and contributions to local literature.
The role of “House of Narrative” in supporting talents
Tahira Al Saif, a member of the House of Narrative, reviewed the cultural club's achievements and its journey in serving the short story. The House of Narrative, launched in 2015, is a leading cultural initiative dedicated to the art of storytelling, encompassing short stories, novels, and literary criticism. It aims to discover new voices, support serious literary endeavors, and build strong bridges between writers, readers, and texts, successfully establishing itself as a nurturing environment for literary talent in the region.
Honoring the winners and its impact on the local scene
The evening culminated in honoring the winners of the “House of Narrative” short story prize. Writer Rawan Salem won first place for her story “Laundry Hanging Out.” Writer Ibtisam Fran won second place for her story “A Man Beyond Requirement,” while writer Mohammed Al-Dandan took third place for his story “Life on Another Shore.” This recognition serves as a significant incentive for young writers to continue their creative endeavors and contributes to enriching the Saudi literary scene with new and distinguished names, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to build a vibrant society and strengthen cultural and creative industries.
