Entries will be received from poets, painters, calligraphers, photographers and inventors in science and other fields from all Arab countries. The last date for entries to be sent in is July 15.

The prizes of the annual fair will be given for Okaz poet, Okaz young poet, scientific excellence, Arabic calligraphy, light photography and painting.

The secretariat general said it would receive nominations on its website on the Internet which is: www.sookokaz.com or through its postal address which is: P.O. Box 4, Taif, 21944.

It said two prizes for handicraft and popular folklore will be awarded during the activities of the souk as they will be presented live for a judging panel to evaluate. The two prizes have a combined value of SR 350,000.

The souk’s Secretary-General Juraidi Mansour said the awards are being contested by the entire Arab world.

The Souk Okaz is a reminiscence of the pre-Islamic era where poets used to gather at the popular fair to recite their poetry. Some of the winning poems would be displayed around the Kaaba.

Mansour said the conditions for all nominations remain the same except for poetry where a contestant should write a modern Arabic poem especially for the souk. His entire poetry work would be considered for the prize, which will include the title of the Arab Poet of the Year, a shield and a burda (garment of honor) in addition to cash prize of SR 300,000. The winner will also be invited to attend the event and recite his poem at the opening ceremony.

A new SR 100,000 prize has been initiated for Saudi poets below 30 years of age. They will be nominated by the literary clubs and the educational and cultural institutions. The poem should be in classical Arabic and not published anywhere before.

The prize for scientific innovations and research is conditional to those who have obtained patent for a certain invention. It will be worth SR 100,000. The award for winner in photography will be SR 50,000.

Leniency and kindness will be the theme of the calligraphy works. Certain verses from the Qur'an have been designed for contestants to write. The first prize winner will receive a cash prize of SR 50,000.

Four prizes worth SR 150,000 will be given to the best handicrafts while the folklore troupes from the Makkah region will be given folklore awards. Entrants will be nominated by the various regions in the province and the first prize winner will receive a cash award of SR 100,000.