MUSCAT: As part of its continuous efforts to promote cultural and artistic creativity and empower talented children and adolescents, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth organised the closing ceremony of the Children's Culture Award in its fourth edition.
The event, held on October 2, honoured finalists in two key competitions: 'Speak So I Can See You', aimed at children aged 7–12 years, and the 'Oman Tells' competition for children's writers and authors.
The ceremony took place at the Omantel headquarters under the auspices of Halima bint Rashid al Zariyah, Chairperson of the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises.
The first place in the Speak So I Can See You competition was awarded to Aline bint Majid al Saidiyah, followed by Rofan Mahmoud Ahmed from Egypt in second place, while Jassim bin Yaqoub al Nakheli secured third place. The winners of the Oman Tells Competition were also recognised, with Hanan bint Salem al Maawaliyah, Taiba bint Mohammed al Sinaniyah, Haifa bint Salem al Araimiyah, Salem bin Khamis al Muqbali and Aisha bint Juma al Farsiyah taking top honours for their outstanding literary contributions.
Huda bint Saeed al Riyamiya, Director of the Department of Cultural Activities, emphasised that the Children's Culture Award, which was introduced in 2021, aims to develop children's cultural and literary abilities, especially their speaking skills. The award encourages students to overcome the fear of public speaking while fostering self-expression and promoting Omani values and heritage. Additionally, the competition provides a platform for Omani writers and authors to enrich the Arab child’s library with stories that instil human and cultural values.
Ahmed bin Nasser al Rashdi, Head of the Children's Culture Department and Supervisor of the award, praised the achievements of this year’s participants. He expressed hopes for the competition's expansion to include participants from across the Arab world in the future.
Since its inception, the award has honoured numerous eloquent students and writers, resulting in the publication of four books and contributing to Oman’s literary presence in Arab and international book fairs.
The Children’s Culture Award continues to empower young speakers and writers, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in various cultural and competitive platforms, further strengthening their connection to Oman’s rich cultural heritage.
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