The Egyptian Writers Conference has opened its call for submissions for its 37th annual research competition, which this year will focus on the theme of "Literature and Drama: Cultural Specificity and the Future." The conference, organised by the General Authority for Culture Palaces under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, is one of Egypt's most prominent literary events. It aims to survey the national literary scene and foster critical and intellectual perspectives on contemporary cultural issues by bringing together writers, researchers, and creators from across the country. This year's session, scheduled for the end of the year, will be dedicated to the late writer Mohamed Gibril. The conference will be chaired by the poet and screenwriter Dr. Medhat El Adl, with poet Ezzat Ibrahim serving as secretary-general. The research competition is open to Egyptian researchers, academics, and literary enthusiasts from all governorates, with the goal of enriching the cultural landscape and providing a platform for emerging researchers to present their insights. Participants are invited to submit papers on one of six main themes: 1. "The Poetic Text and the Vocabulary of Cultural Specificity":An exploration of Egyptian poetry, in both classical and colloquial Arabic, across its various stages. 2. "The Novel and the Conflict of Identities in Egyptian Society":A critical reading of how the Egyptian novel has addressed the country's social diversity, pressing issues, and external values. 3. "Transformations of the Egyptian Short Story":An examination of the vision and experimentation in the art of the short story, from its beginnings to its modern forms. 4. "Dramatic Adaptations of Literary Texts":An analysis of the relationship between literary texts and various artistic mediums, such as cinema, television drama, and theatre. 5. "Egyptian Cultural Industries and Soft Power":A look at the role of official institutions, civil society, and individual initiatives in supporting Egypt's cultural scene and specificity. 6. "The Presence of Folk Literature in the Current Scene":A focus on how folklore and popular heritage are used in literary and dramatic works to reinforce national identity. Submissions must be written in formal Arabic, adhere to academic research standards, and be between 3,000 and 5,000 words. Researchers who have participated in the last two conference sessions are not eligible, and each applicant may submit only one paper. Research papers are to be sent via email to the General Administration for Public Culture by the deadline of 31 October. All submissions will undergo a blind peer-review process by a committee from the conference's general secretariat. Winning papers will be published in the official conference research book and their authors will be invited to present them during research sessions. Financial awards will be given to the authors of the winning papers. The host governorate for this year's conference, which will also be designated as the Egyptian Capital of Culture for one year, is expected to be announced soon.
