منذ ما يزيد على ثلاثة عقود، والمثقفون والأدباء يتطلعون إلى تأسيس صندوق تكافل يُقيمُ الأَوَد، ويخفف عن الكاهل أعباء العَوَز، وتعددت المطالب، ورفع مؤتَمِرون توصيات، إلا أن كل المطالب ليست وجيهة، وليس كل وجيهٍ قابل للتحقق على أرض الواقع، وربما اغتالت كفّ العوز أحلام وتطلعات بعض الأدباء، أو أثقلت ميزانيات علاجهم أو أحد أفراد أسرهم كواهلهم. وفي ظل انتقال جمعية الأدب المهنيّة إلى عُهدة مجلس إدارة جديد، تجددت مطالب أدباء ومثقفين في تحقيق مكتسبات تعزز دور المثقف، وتعترف له بمكانته، وعلّق عدد كبير من الأدباء والمثقفين آمالاً على (جمعيّة الأدب) كونها أعلنت مراراً أنها معنيّة بهذه الشريحة المجتمعية، وهنا مساحة للتطلعات، وتعقيب من رئيس مجلس إدارة الجمعية.
يرى الكاتب صالح القرني أن بين يدي طاولة جمعية الأدب المهنية في دورتها الجديدة ملفات عدة، والأدباء ينظرون إلى الجمعية بوصفها حلاً، أو تعمل على إستراتيجية فعلية لحل الكثير من المعضلات والإشكالات التي تواجههم.
وأكد القرني أنّ المبادرات الفعلية المنتظرة من الجمعية والمنسجمة مع التطلعات، تقتضي القيام بدور فعال يوفّر الحلول المبتكرة والمستدامة، وتجاوز الصعوبات التي تواجه الأديب والمثقف، وتطوير ممارساته، وتنويع آليات الدعم والمبادرات اللازمة لتحقيق الغاية من إنشاء الجمعية.
وذهب القرني إلى أنّ «هناك الكثير من الآمال والتطلعات التي ينتظرها كل من له علاقة بالشأن الثقافي والأدبي وعلى مختلف المستويات، سواء كانت خدمات نوعية أو توفير فرص جاذبة تنمّي الاحتراف الثقافي وعياً وممارسة، وتطوير الآليات الخادمة المرتبطة بهذا الاحتراف».
وعدّ الشاعر محمد الفوز جمعية الأدب كغيرها من جمعيات المجتمع المدني، ذات ارتباط مباشر بالأعضاء المهتمين، أكثر من علاقتها بالوزارات والهيئات التي منحتها الترخيص، من أجل استمراريتها لا من أجل دعمها فقط، مؤكداً أن عليها تحقيق حاجة وتطلّع المستفيد، وتجاوز قصور التجربة الماضية، وعدم التعامل بفوقية مع الأديب، أو تجاهل طيف في مقابل التعزيز لطيف آخر بحجة القرب المكاني مثلاً أو أي حجة أخرى.
ولفت الفوز إلى أن القيمة المهنية تكمن في عدد العضويات، ثم الفعاليات التي تواكب المناسبات المحلية والدولية، إضافة للإصدارات الخاصة والاستضافات خارج نطاق الأعضاء.
وأبدى تشاؤمه من محاولة المجلس الجديد الخروج بنمط مختلف، كون العمل الثقافي نمطياً بطبعه ولا يمكن الخروج كثيراً من بوتقة الأمسيات، غير أن المشاريع الثقافية هي التي تفرض عوالمها على أي جمعية، شرط عدم الاعتماد على تيار واحد والخروج بأنشطتها عن الروتين، مشيراً إلى أن باب المنافسة مفتوح أمام الجمعيات الأدبية الأخرى، ما يفرض على جمعية الأدب المهنية التواضع، كي لا تظن نفسها بوابة عبور لأدباء السعودية، بينما في الواقع أغلب الأدباء لا يعرفون مكانها.
وناشد وزارة الثقافة دعم الجمعيات الأدبية بكل أجناسها لتكون جزءاً من برنامج جودة الحياة.
ويؤكد الناقد الدكتور أحمد الهلالي، أنه لا يزال عميّاً عن معنى (المهنية) في مسمى جمعية الأدب، ويرى الضباب يغلف أبعادها، وقال «إنه يعلم عن بعض أنشطة الجمعية مثل مبادرة (سفراء الأدب) إلا أن موقعها يُكذّب علمه» -كما قال-، وعدّه موقعاً صائماً طيلة أربع سنوات، لم يذق بُر البرامج، ولا رطب الخطط، وافتقد مائدة لـ(خارطة طريق) واضحة لمهمات الجمعية تقوّي عظم تقشف الأدباء على دفع قيمة اشتراك جمعيتها العمومية، أو على الأقل تحرض العابرين على انتظار حافلة وعود الجمعية الواعدة.
وأضاف: هذه الجمعية الموصوفة بـ«المهنية/ الأساسية/ عالية الأداء» كانت سحابة بشرى تعادل اتحادات الأدباء في الدول المجاورة، وتؤذن بمطر مبادرات يورق على قطرها الأدب، ويسمق الأدباء على المستوى الإبداعي، والمستوى الاجتماعي، وتزرع شراكات مع جهات داخلية وخارجية تخضرُّ بها حقول المبدعين، وتبادر إلى غرس صندوق تكافل يوفر على الأدباء المبتدئين الركض، ويحفظ ماء وجه المعسرين، وتهندس مبادرات نوعية، وبرامج فارقة، وتقلّم أظفار المحسوبيات وممارسات كانت تُتهم بها المؤسسات الثقافية سابقاً، وتحمل لواء مبادئ العدالة وتكافؤ الفرص، لكن لا مناص من تجديد الأمل وانتظار البشائر، بثقة سمينة في القائمين على شؤون الجمعية.
ويذهب إلى أنّ دورة المجلس التأسيسي الأول لجمعية الأدب انتهت وكانت أبرز الثمار (سفراء الأدب)؛ مبادرة واعدة، أرهقها التقشف، وتجاعيد التقليدية، وتحويل ثلاث روايات سعودية إلى أعمال درامية، وجائزة المنجزات الأدبية، ودليل مهني شامل للأديب السعودي، وكلها لم ترَ النور إلى الآن. واستعار الهلالي موقع الجمعيّة الإلكتروني «شاهداً» إذ لم يحوِ شيئاً عن المبادرات، وتساءل: «ما الفائدة منه؟ وأين يبحث الأدباء عنها؟ وهل المبادرات سرية؟ أم لم تُنجز؟ وهل كانت وعوداً طارت بها هداهد الإعلام قبل تحققها؟». مضيفاً: «اشتعلت قُبُس المجلس الجديد، ومنهم ستة شُهب من المجلس السابق، فماذا هم فاعلون؟ هل سيبتكرون لهباً جديداً؟ أم سيستكملون الاشتعال؟ أم ستظل الأمور في منطقة الهدوء المنتحي للسكون إلى موعد الانتخابات القادمة؟».
إبراهيم طالع:أُبارك لكم الهمّ ولن أطالب بما هو فوق استطاعتكم
أولاً: دعواتي للزملاء في جمعية الأدب -ولن أبارك لهم بالهمّ الذي ينتظرهم- أنا أحد المهمومين بالبحث عن مستشفى ينقذني من التكدس في طوابير طويلة في مشفى يعمل أكثر أطبائه في المؤسسات الجديدة المربحة، ولأنني أتخيّل أنهم يدركون أن المؤسسات -ربحية أو غيرها- لا تخلق الأدب، لكن الأماني أن تخدمه وأهله بخدمات وحاجات العصر، وأنا أعذرهم، فربما لا يستطيعون سوى تكرار ما مضى من طباعة -في زمن غير زمن الطباعة- أو ملتقى لمجرد اللقاء لو حدث.
والمبدعون اليوم لم يعودوا محتاجين إلى من يطبع لهم، فإبداعهم مطبوع بين أيديهم في أجهزتهم، ومنشور عالمياً عبر حساباتهم وحسابات الناشرين. وأعذر الأحبة الزملاء كل العذر لأنهم سيعيشون على بقايا فكرة أن «الأدب مدرسة كلاسيكية تعلم الآداب»، ولن يستطيعوا نقل تلك المدرسة المنتهية الصلاحية، إلى مدرسة خدمة بؤس الأديب الذي لا تأمين له، بينما نرى كل شعوب العالم تعيش على التأمين.
افترضتُ أنني أديب أو فنان فتمنيتُ أن أجد تأميناً طبياً لخدماتي الصحية، أو ميزة خدماتية تمثّل وطني العظيم الذي أفنيت عمري في خدمته أدباً وإنتاجاً وتعليماً وعانيت في سبيله ما عانيته شأن غيري، افترضت ذلك وتمنيت تذاكر طيران مخفّضة أو سكناً فندقياً مجانيّاً، فعرفت أن الجمعيات لن تستطيع فعل شيء من هذا فعذرتُ أصحابي ودعوت لهم بظهر الغيب، وأمضي كما مضى غيري من نجوم الوطن دون رعايات لائقة بهم.
ليتهم لا يركزون على الشكلاني (إخراج آدابنا إلى العالم) وكاتبوها هنا دون خدمات ترعى شؤونهم الصعبة، فهم يحتاجون إلى خدمات أكثر من حاجتهم إلى استعراض آدابهم عند الآخرين.
أهنئهم بانتخابهم أدباء لامعين مهمومين بتحقيق نقلة مجال الجمعية من خدمة تعليم الأدب وفن التعامل مع الحرف والفن والفكر، إلى خدمتي أنا، كي أنتج في أمن نفسيّ لائق بوطننا الذي يريد إعطاء أدبائه ما ينقصهم لا إعطاءهم ما لديهم. ولا تعلموني الأدب أيها الأحبة، بل ابحثوا لي عما يعينني على الأدب.
وأبارك لكم وأعفيكم إن لم تخدموني بشيء فأنا أقدّر ظروفكم.. وعفاكم.
أكد أن «الثقافة غُرم لا غُنم» وتمثَّل «صح مني العزمُ والدهر أبى»
السريحي: الأديبُ مرعيٌّ من الدولة باعتباره مواطناً ونحرص على ميزة إضافية
أوضح رئيس جمعية الأدب المهنيّة الدكتور سعيد السريحي أن الجمعية في الأصلِ مُعانةٌ بغيرها، وهي تحمل كثيراً من أحلام المثقفين وتطلعاتهم، إلا أنها لا تتحمل وحدها تحقيق ذلك الحلم وهذا التطلّع، مؤكداً إدراكهم حاجة الأديب لمن يرعاه، في ظل رعاية الدولة له باعتباره مواطناً، إلا أنه بما قدمه لوطنه يمتلك ميزة إضافية توجب اهتماماً خاصاً بها، لافتا إلى أن دور الجمعية العمل بالشراكة مع قطاعات مختلفة لتحقيق بعض من التطلعات، كونها لا تستطيع الاضطلاع بهذا الدور منفردة. وأضاف (أبو إقبال) أن دور الجمعية يتمثّل في التنسيق والمطالبة باسم الأدباء بما يعزز جودة حياتهم، وإنْ لم يتحقق فسنتمثَّل قول الشاعر حافظ إبراهيم:
لا تلم كفي إذا السيفُ نبا
صحّ مني العزمُ والدهر أبى
وأكد أن الجمعية ستنفذ مشاريع وبرامج ترعاها وزارة الثقافة، أو هيئة الأدب والترجمة، أو قطاعات أخرى، فتكون جهازاً تنفيذياً من خلال الخبرات والمهارات، فتنهض بدورها والجهات الراعية تموّل وبذا يكون ذلك مصدر دخل للجمعية، وهناك توثيق العلاقات بالقطاع الخاص، فالجمعية يمنحها نظامها حق الاستفادة من الدعم المالي من مؤسسات أو أفراد داخل المملكة، وجامعة الأعمال للدكتور عبدالله دحلان تبنت دعم جائزة الجمعية، وهناك دعم وزارة الثقافة وهيئة الأدب للمشاريع التي تقترحها الجمعية.
وعن الرسوم، قال السريحي: «رسوم العضويات شرط الانضواء تحت مظلة الجمعية، منها عضوية عامة وإنْ لم يكن للمتقدم نتاج، رسمها 150 ريالاً، ولا تخوّل للترشح ولا للتصويت، وعضوية كاملة رسمها 500 ريال، وتمنح صاحبها حق الترشح والتصويت والمصادقة والاعتراض على قرارات مجلس الإدارة، ومحاسبته».
وعن رفد رسوم العضويات ميزانية الجمعية، أوضح السريحي أن بعض الفعاليات تكلفتها عالية، خصوصاً تلك التي تستدعي توفير تذاكر طيران وسكناً وتنقلات ومعيشة، والمكافأة ريع لكنه لا يبلغ مرتبة الدعم. وأضاف رئيس جمعية الأدب: لا أتصوّر أن الثقافة يمكن أن تكون مصدراً مالياً أو توفّر ريعاً، وأتذكر لرئيس (أدبي جدة) السابق عبدالفتاح أبو مدين قوله «الثقافة غُرمٌ وليست غُنْمَاً»، لافتاً إلى أنّ المردود الحقيقي للثقافة يتمثّلُ في الارتقاء بالوعي، وبالذائقة، ونشر المعرفة، وتمكين الأديب والمواطن من رؤية أشمل لواقعه، وفهم أجمل لماضيه، واستشراف أدقّ لمستقبله، ويرى أن «الأدب ليس سلعة ولا مادة ترفيه، بل قيمته في أثره على المجتمع، وعدّ السفراء شركاء حقيقيين»، مضيفاً أن العمل في الجمعية تطوعيّ، لا مقابل مالياً له، وعضو الجمعية لا أجر مادياً له.
وعن مقار السفراء، قال: «من الصعب توفير مقر لكل سفارة أو مركز، فالسفراء لهم علاقات ومعرفة بمناطقهم ويمكنهم إقامة الفعاليات في أي قرية أو بلدة أو مدينة، في الموقع المتاح والممكن، كما أن الإدارة اليوم تتم عبر الهواتف».
وثمّن السريحي إنجاز المجلس السابق برئاسة الدكتور صالح زيّاد على مستوى الفعاليات والإستراتيجيات والأنظمة للإدارة، مضيفاً «هي ثروة حقيقية يمكننا الانطلاق من خلالها، وهناك مشاريع ممتدة من لوازم الوفاء استمرارها، وهناك مبادرات ومشاريع طموحة نأمل أن نوفّق في تنفيذها».
بانتقال جمعية الأدب إلى عهدة مجلس إدارة جديد..
أدباء مهددون بالعَوَز والمرض ينتظرون صندوق تكافل وتأميناً طبياً
19 سبتمبر 2025 - 01:18
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آخر تحديث 19 سبتمبر 2025 - 01:18
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
علي فايع (أبها) علي الرباعي (الباحة) Al_ARobai@
For more than three decades, intellectuals and writers have been looking to establish a solidarity fund that would address their needs and alleviate the burdens of poverty. The demands have varied, and conference attendees have raised recommendations, but not all demands are reasonable, and not every reasonable demand is achievable in reality. Perhaps the hand of poverty has stifled the dreams and aspirations of some writers, or burdened their budgets for treatment or that of a family member. With the transition of the Professional Literature Association to a new board of directors, the demands of writers and intellectuals have renewed for achievements that enhance the role of the intellectual and recognize their status. Many writers and intellectuals have pinned their hopes on the (Literature Association), as it has repeatedly announced its concern for this societal segment, providing a space for aspirations and comments from the chairman of the association's board.
Writer Saleh Al-Qarni believes that the new term of the Professional Literature Association has several files at hand, and writers view the association as a solution, or as working on an effective strategy to resolve many of the dilemmas and issues they face.
Al-Qarni confirmed that the anticipated actual initiatives from the association, which align with aspirations, require an active role that provides innovative and sustainable solutions, overcoming the difficulties faced by writers and intellectuals, developing their practices, and diversifying the necessary support mechanisms and initiatives to achieve the purpose of establishing the association.
Al-Qarni went on to say, "There are many hopes and aspirations that everyone involved in cultural and literary affairs is waiting for, whether they are quality services or providing attractive opportunities that foster cultural professionalism in awareness and practice, and developing the supportive mechanisms related to this professionalism."
Poet Mohammed Al-Fawz considered the Literature Association like other civil society associations, having a direct connection with the interested members, more than its relationship with the ministries and bodies that granted it the license, for its continuity and not just for its support. He emphasized that it must meet the needs and aspirations of the beneficiaries, overcome the shortcomings of past experiences, and avoid dealing with writers in a condescending manner or ignoring one group in favor of another under the pretext of geographical proximity, for example, or any other excuse.
Al-Fawz pointed out that professional value lies in the number of memberships, then in the activities that accompany local and international events, in addition to special publications and hosting outside the members' scope.
He expressed his pessimism about the new council's attempt to emerge with a different pattern, as cultural work is inherently conventional and cannot stray far from the realm of literary evenings. However, cultural projects impose their worlds on any association, provided that it does not rely on a single current and that its activities move away from routine. He noted that the door of competition is open to other literary associations, which imposes on the Professional Literature Association the need for humility, so it does not consider itself a gateway for Saudi writers, while in reality, most writers do not know its location.
He urged the Ministry of Culture to support literary associations of all kinds to be part of the Quality of Life program.
Critic Dr. Ahmed Al-Hilali confirms that he is still blind to the meaning of "professionalism" in the name of the Literature Association, seeing fog enveloping its dimensions. He said, "He knows about some of the association's activities, such as the 'Literary Ambassadors' initiative, but its website contradicts his knowledge" - as he put it - considering it a site that has been dormant for four years, not having tasted the bread of programs, nor the dates of plans, and lacking a table for a clear "roadmap" for the association's tasks that would strengthen the writers' endurance to pay the subscription fee for its general assembly, or at least encourage passersby to wait for the bus of the association's promising promises.
He added: This association, described as "professional / essential / high-performance," was a cloud of good news equivalent to the unions of writers in neighboring countries, heralding a rain of initiatives that would flourish literature and elevate writers on both creative and social levels, planting partnerships with internal and external entities that would green the fields of creators, initiating a solidarity fund that saves beginner writers from running around and preserves the dignity of the struggling, engineering qualitative initiatives and groundbreaking programs, trimming the claws of favoritism and practices that cultural institutions were previously accused of, and carrying the banner of principles of justice and equal opportunities. However, there is no escape from renewing hope and waiting for good tidings, with firm confidence in those responsible for the association's affairs.
He believes that the first founding council's term of the Literature Association has ended, and its most prominent fruit was the "Literary Ambassadors"; a promising initiative that has been burdened by austerity and the wrinkles of tradition, transforming three Saudi novels into dramatic works, the Literary Achievements Award, and a comprehensive professional guide for the Saudi writer, all of which have not seen the light yet. Al-Hilali borrowed the association's website as a "witness" since it contained nothing about the initiatives, questioning: "What is its benefit? Where do writers search for it? Are the initiatives secret? Or have they not been accomplished? Were they promises that the media's doves flew away before their realization?" He added: "The new council has ignited a flame, with six meteors from the previous council among them, so what will they do? Will they innovate a new flame? Or will they continue to burn? Or will things remain in a state of calm, waiting for the next elections?"
Ibrahim Talal: I congratulate you on the concern and will not demand what is beyond your capabilities
First: My prayers for my colleagues in the Literature Association - and I will not congratulate them on the concern that awaits them - I am one of those burdened with searching for a hospital to rescue me from the congestion in long queues at a hospital where most of its doctors work in profitable new institutions. And because I imagine they realize that institutions - whether profitable or not - do not create literature, but the hope is that they serve it and its people with the services and needs of the era. I excuse them, for perhaps they can do no more than repeat what has passed in printing - in a time that is not the time for printing - or a gathering just for the sake of meeting if it happens.
Today, creators no longer need someone to print for them, as their creativity is printed in their hands on their devices and published globally through their accounts and the accounts of publishers. I fully excuse my dear colleagues because they will live on the remnants of the idea that "literature is a classical school that teaches the arts," and they will not be able to transfer that expired school to a school that serves the misery of the writer who has no insurance, while we see all the peoples of the world living on insurance.
I imagined that I was a writer or an artist, and I wished to find medical insurance for my health services, or a service feature that represents my great nation, for which I have devoted my life to serving through literature, production, and education, and I have suffered for it what others have suffered. I assumed that and wished for discounted flight tickets or free hotel accommodations, only to realize that associations would not be able to do any of this, so I excused my friends and prayed for them in absentia, and I move on like others from the stars of the nation without appropriate sponsorships.
I wish they would not focus on the superficial (bringing our literature to the world) while its writers are here without services that care for their difficult affairs; they need services more than they need to showcase their literature to others.
I congratulate them on electing them as prominent writers concerned with achieving a shift in the association's field from serving the teaching of literature and the art of dealing with letters, art, and thought, to serving me, so I can produce in a mental security worthy of our nation that wants to give its writers what they lack, not give them what they have. And do not teach me literature, dear ones; rather, seek for me what helps me in literature.
And I congratulate you and excuse you if you do not serve me with anything, for I appreciate your circumstances.. and may you be excused.
He affirmed that "culture is a burden, not a gain" and embodied "the determination is right, while fate refused"
Al-Suhaili: The writer is a citizen supported by the state, and we strive for an additional advantage
Dr. Saeed Al-Suhaili, the chairman of the Professional Literature Association, clarified that the association is originally supported by others, carrying many dreams and aspirations of intellectuals. However, it cannot alone achieve that dream and aspiration, emphasizing their awareness of the writer's need for someone to care for them, under the state's care for them as citizens. However, with what they have provided to their country, they possess an additional advantage that necessitates special attention. He pointed out that the role of the association is to work in partnership with various sectors to achieve some of the aspirations, as it cannot undertake this role alone. Al-Abu Iqbal added that the role of the association is represented in coordinating and demanding on behalf of writers to enhance their quality of life, and if this is not achieved, we will embody the poet Hafiz Ibrahim's saying:
Do not blame my hand if the sword falters
The determination is right, while fate refused
He confirmed that the association will implement projects and programs sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, or the Literature and Translation Authority, or other sectors, making it an executive body through expertise and skills, thus fulfilling its role while the sponsoring entities fund it, making this a source of income for the association. There is also documentation of relationships with the private sector, as the association's system grants it the right to benefit from financial support from institutions or individuals within the Kingdom, and the University of Business, led by Dr. Abdullah Duhlan, has adopted support for the association's award, along with support from the Ministry of Culture and the Literature Authority for the projects proposed by the association.
Regarding fees, Al-Suhaili said: "Membership fees are a condition for joining the association, including general membership, even if the applicant has no output, with a fee of 150 riyals, which does not grant the right to run for election or vote, and a full membership fee of 500 riyals, granting its holder the right to run for election, vote, approve, and object to the decisions of the board of directors, and hold them accountable."
Regarding the contribution of membership fees to the association's budget, Al-Suhaili clarified that some events have high costs, especially those that require providing flight tickets, accommodation, transportation, and living expenses, and the rewards are proceeds but do not reach the level of support. The president of the Literature Association added: I do not imagine that culture can be a financial source or provide proceeds, and I remember the previous president of (Jeddah Literary) Abdul Fattah Abu Madin saying, "Culture is a burden, not a gain," pointing out that the true return of culture is represented in elevating awareness, taste, spreading knowledge, and enabling the writer and citizen to have a broader vision of their reality, a more beautiful understanding of their past, and a more precise foresight of their future. He sees that "literature is not a commodity or a material for entertainment, but its value lies in its impact on society," considering the ambassadors as true partners, adding that work in the association is voluntary, with no financial compensation, and a member of the association does not receive any monetary reward.
Regarding the locations of the ambassadors, he said: "It is difficult to provide a headquarters for each embassy or center, as the ambassadors have relationships and knowledge of their regions and can hold events in any village, town, or city, in the available and possible location, and today the administration is conducted via phones."
Al-Suhaili praised the achievements of the previous council, chaired by Dr. Saleh Ziyad, in terms of events, strategies, and administrative systems, adding, "It is a true wealth from which we can launch, and there are ongoing projects that require loyalty to continue, and there are ambitious initiatives and projects we hope to succeed in implementing."
Writer Saleh Al-Qarni believes that the new term of the Professional Literature Association has several files at hand, and writers view the association as a solution, or as working on an effective strategy to resolve many of the dilemmas and issues they face.
Al-Qarni confirmed that the anticipated actual initiatives from the association, which align with aspirations, require an active role that provides innovative and sustainable solutions, overcoming the difficulties faced by writers and intellectuals, developing their practices, and diversifying the necessary support mechanisms and initiatives to achieve the purpose of establishing the association.
Al-Qarni went on to say, "There are many hopes and aspirations that everyone involved in cultural and literary affairs is waiting for, whether they are quality services or providing attractive opportunities that foster cultural professionalism in awareness and practice, and developing the supportive mechanisms related to this professionalism."
Poet Mohammed Al-Fawz considered the Literature Association like other civil society associations, having a direct connection with the interested members, more than its relationship with the ministries and bodies that granted it the license, for its continuity and not just for its support. He emphasized that it must meet the needs and aspirations of the beneficiaries, overcome the shortcomings of past experiences, and avoid dealing with writers in a condescending manner or ignoring one group in favor of another under the pretext of geographical proximity, for example, or any other excuse.
Al-Fawz pointed out that professional value lies in the number of memberships, then in the activities that accompany local and international events, in addition to special publications and hosting outside the members' scope.
He expressed his pessimism about the new council's attempt to emerge with a different pattern, as cultural work is inherently conventional and cannot stray far from the realm of literary evenings. However, cultural projects impose their worlds on any association, provided that it does not rely on a single current and that its activities move away from routine. He noted that the door of competition is open to other literary associations, which imposes on the Professional Literature Association the need for humility, so it does not consider itself a gateway for Saudi writers, while in reality, most writers do not know its location.
He urged the Ministry of Culture to support literary associations of all kinds to be part of the Quality of Life program.
Critic Dr. Ahmed Al-Hilali confirms that he is still blind to the meaning of "professionalism" in the name of the Literature Association, seeing fog enveloping its dimensions. He said, "He knows about some of the association's activities, such as the 'Literary Ambassadors' initiative, but its website contradicts his knowledge" - as he put it - considering it a site that has been dormant for four years, not having tasted the bread of programs, nor the dates of plans, and lacking a table for a clear "roadmap" for the association's tasks that would strengthen the writers' endurance to pay the subscription fee for its general assembly, or at least encourage passersby to wait for the bus of the association's promising promises.
He added: This association, described as "professional / essential / high-performance," was a cloud of good news equivalent to the unions of writers in neighboring countries, heralding a rain of initiatives that would flourish literature and elevate writers on both creative and social levels, planting partnerships with internal and external entities that would green the fields of creators, initiating a solidarity fund that saves beginner writers from running around and preserves the dignity of the struggling, engineering qualitative initiatives and groundbreaking programs, trimming the claws of favoritism and practices that cultural institutions were previously accused of, and carrying the banner of principles of justice and equal opportunities. However, there is no escape from renewing hope and waiting for good tidings, with firm confidence in those responsible for the association's affairs.
He believes that the first founding council's term of the Literature Association has ended, and its most prominent fruit was the "Literary Ambassadors"; a promising initiative that has been burdened by austerity and the wrinkles of tradition, transforming three Saudi novels into dramatic works, the Literary Achievements Award, and a comprehensive professional guide for the Saudi writer, all of which have not seen the light yet. Al-Hilali borrowed the association's website as a "witness" since it contained nothing about the initiatives, questioning: "What is its benefit? Where do writers search for it? Are the initiatives secret? Or have they not been accomplished? Were they promises that the media's doves flew away before their realization?" He added: "The new council has ignited a flame, with six meteors from the previous council among them, so what will they do? Will they innovate a new flame? Or will they continue to burn? Or will things remain in a state of calm, waiting for the next elections?"
Ibrahim Talal: I congratulate you on the concern and will not demand what is beyond your capabilities
First: My prayers for my colleagues in the Literature Association - and I will not congratulate them on the concern that awaits them - I am one of those burdened with searching for a hospital to rescue me from the congestion in long queues at a hospital where most of its doctors work in profitable new institutions. And because I imagine they realize that institutions - whether profitable or not - do not create literature, but the hope is that they serve it and its people with the services and needs of the era. I excuse them, for perhaps they can do no more than repeat what has passed in printing - in a time that is not the time for printing - or a gathering just for the sake of meeting if it happens.
Today, creators no longer need someone to print for them, as their creativity is printed in their hands on their devices and published globally through their accounts and the accounts of publishers. I fully excuse my dear colleagues because they will live on the remnants of the idea that "literature is a classical school that teaches the arts," and they will not be able to transfer that expired school to a school that serves the misery of the writer who has no insurance, while we see all the peoples of the world living on insurance.
I imagined that I was a writer or an artist, and I wished to find medical insurance for my health services, or a service feature that represents my great nation, for which I have devoted my life to serving through literature, production, and education, and I have suffered for it what others have suffered. I assumed that and wished for discounted flight tickets or free hotel accommodations, only to realize that associations would not be able to do any of this, so I excused my friends and prayed for them in absentia, and I move on like others from the stars of the nation without appropriate sponsorships.
I wish they would not focus on the superficial (bringing our literature to the world) while its writers are here without services that care for their difficult affairs; they need services more than they need to showcase their literature to others.
I congratulate them on electing them as prominent writers concerned with achieving a shift in the association's field from serving the teaching of literature and the art of dealing with letters, art, and thought, to serving me, so I can produce in a mental security worthy of our nation that wants to give its writers what they lack, not give them what they have. And do not teach me literature, dear ones; rather, seek for me what helps me in literature.
And I congratulate you and excuse you if you do not serve me with anything, for I appreciate your circumstances.. and may you be excused.
He affirmed that "culture is a burden, not a gain" and embodied "the determination is right, while fate refused"
Al-Suhaili: The writer is a citizen supported by the state, and we strive for an additional advantage
Dr. Saeed Al-Suhaili, the chairman of the Professional Literature Association, clarified that the association is originally supported by others, carrying many dreams and aspirations of intellectuals. However, it cannot alone achieve that dream and aspiration, emphasizing their awareness of the writer's need for someone to care for them, under the state's care for them as citizens. However, with what they have provided to their country, they possess an additional advantage that necessitates special attention. He pointed out that the role of the association is to work in partnership with various sectors to achieve some of the aspirations, as it cannot undertake this role alone. Al-Abu Iqbal added that the role of the association is represented in coordinating and demanding on behalf of writers to enhance their quality of life, and if this is not achieved, we will embody the poet Hafiz Ibrahim's saying:
Do not blame my hand if the sword falters
The determination is right, while fate refused
He confirmed that the association will implement projects and programs sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, or the Literature and Translation Authority, or other sectors, making it an executive body through expertise and skills, thus fulfilling its role while the sponsoring entities fund it, making this a source of income for the association. There is also documentation of relationships with the private sector, as the association's system grants it the right to benefit from financial support from institutions or individuals within the Kingdom, and the University of Business, led by Dr. Abdullah Duhlan, has adopted support for the association's award, along with support from the Ministry of Culture and the Literature Authority for the projects proposed by the association.
Regarding fees, Al-Suhaili said: "Membership fees are a condition for joining the association, including general membership, even if the applicant has no output, with a fee of 150 riyals, which does not grant the right to run for election or vote, and a full membership fee of 500 riyals, granting its holder the right to run for election, vote, approve, and object to the decisions of the board of directors, and hold them accountable."
Regarding the contribution of membership fees to the association's budget, Al-Suhaili clarified that some events have high costs, especially those that require providing flight tickets, accommodation, transportation, and living expenses, and the rewards are proceeds but do not reach the level of support. The president of the Literature Association added: I do not imagine that culture can be a financial source or provide proceeds, and I remember the previous president of (Jeddah Literary) Abdul Fattah Abu Madin saying, "Culture is a burden, not a gain," pointing out that the true return of culture is represented in elevating awareness, taste, spreading knowledge, and enabling the writer and citizen to have a broader vision of their reality, a more beautiful understanding of their past, and a more precise foresight of their future. He sees that "literature is not a commodity or a material for entertainment, but its value lies in its impact on society," considering the ambassadors as true partners, adding that work in the association is voluntary, with no financial compensation, and a member of the association does not receive any monetary reward.
Regarding the locations of the ambassadors, he said: "It is difficult to provide a headquarters for each embassy or center, as the ambassadors have relationships and knowledge of their regions and can hold events in any village, town, or city, in the available and possible location, and today the administration is conducted via phones."
Al-Suhaili praised the achievements of the previous council, chaired by Dr. Saleh Ziyad, in terms of events, strategies, and administrative systems, adding, "It is a true wealth from which we can launch, and there are ongoing projects that require loyalty to continue, and there are ambitious initiatives and projects we hope to succeed in implementing."