Al-Jazirah I AM an ardent supporter of cultural festivals and events that not only provide entertainment but also boost the national economy. King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival is one of them. I previously wrote an article about this festival, which has been developed since adding new ideas. There is no doubt that such festivals will strengthen our culture and heritage. I was extremely happy when the organizers added a new program to educate children about camels. The children will be encouraged to depict the value of camels in our lives and the lives of our forefathers through their creativity in art. But I was surprised to hear the announcement of awards worth millions of riyals to honor Nabti and Muhawara poets and Shela artists who read poems with a booming voice, instead of honoring people who have made outstanding efforts to promote culture and Arabic literature. Who will believe that the government used to honor men of culture and literature giving valuable prizes 30 years ago and that prize was named State Award for Literature. In 1983 and 1984 six men of letters including Hamad Al-Jasser, Ahmed Al-Sibae and Abdullah Bin Khamees received that award. How flourishing was the culture in the 1980s when the government gave extra care for men of letters and how much efforts we needed today to promote our true culture and build a knowledge-based society envisioned by Vision 2030. Is it reasonable that we make big plans and see our generation moving in the wrong direction? Instead of spending these huge amounts to encourage inventors and innovators and people having creative ideas in art and literature why do we spend the money on Nabti and Muhawara poets? The irony is that some artists and photographers were given awards at the same function in appreciation of their outstanding works depicting the life of camels but the cash award they received was nothing compared to the one received by Nabti poets. Is it reasonable that only SR10,000 was given as cash awards to five outstanding sculptors and only SR2,000 was given to other participants in the art show? At the same time, Nabti poets were given SR5 million, SR2 million and SR1 million. I would like to remind the honorable organizers and officials that world economies depend heavily on revenues earned from tourism, culture and art as well as from festivals, exhibitions and conferences, cultural and literary events, art shows and museums, in addition to revenues from the publishing industry and auctions of art works. We should know that some of our neighbors have overtaken us in this field. I am not talking about auctions of camels and birds. We have supported Nabti poets for several years and have published colorful magazines and launched satellite channels for the purpose. Even now when the government has declared austerity we spend heavily to honor and encourage Nabti poets. What benefit we are going to get by giving away such cash awards? Will it contribute to making us a knowledge-based society or will it rekindle the spirit of tribal pride and arrogance?
