Saudi Literary Clubs

Saudi literary clubs are cultural and social institutions dedicated to promoting literature and culture in the Arabic language. They are interested in documenting literary and cultural history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Enjoying legal personalities, they hold significant importance as pivotal literary institutions closely associated with literature and literary figures.

The literary clubs, totaling sixteen clubs, contribute to the literary and cultural production since the establishment of the first club in 1975. They also organize many cultural events and activities.

The literary clubs include several facilities, mainly libraries that house the club's and other publications, as well as theaters, art halls, and training rooms. The size and capacity of these facilities vary from somewhat limited to moderate. Moreover, most of the theaters within the literary clubs serve not only as venues for theatrical and performance shows but also as spaces for a variety of other cultural activities.

The idea of establishing literary clubs originated from a meeting held by Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz - when he assumed the leadership of the General Presidency for Youth Welfare (currently the Ministry of Sport) - in Riyadh, in May 1975, with a number of writers and intellectuals. During the meeting, the writer Aziz Diya proposed the idea of forming literary clubs in major cities. Prince Faisal Bin Fahd agreed to the idea, leading to its implementation through the creation of six clubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Makkah al-Mukarramah, al-Madina al-Munawarah, and Jazan.

Literary clubs are spread across the Kingdom's provinces and governorates. They are:

1- Abha literary club.

2- Al-Ahsa literary club.

3- Al-Bahah literary club.

4- Al-Jawf literary club.

5- The Northern Borders literary club.

6- Riyadh literary club.

7- Taif literary club.

8- Qassim literary club.

9- Al-Madina al-Munawwarah literary club.

10- Eastern Province literary club.

11- Tabouk literary club.

12- Jazan literary club.

13- Jeddah literary club.

14- Hail literary club.

15- Makkah literary club.

16- Najran literary club.

The literary-cultural institutions, including literary clubs, were transitioned from the General Presidency for Youth Welfare to the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Media in 2005. Starting in 2019, their oversight was transitioned from the Ministry of Media to the Ministry of Culture.

Literary clubs aim to establish a productive and interactive literary environment and promote literature in Classical Arabic. This includes highlighting the reality and history of literature within the club's domain specifically and in the Kingdom generally, in a way that reinforces national identity. They also aim to strengthen the literary ties among writers, collaborate with relevant entities, and attract, nurture, and encourage young literary talents. It also undertakes the task of representing writers before relevant entities in matters related to the club's specializations, along with supporting relevant literary and cultural initiatives.

Literary clubs achieve their objectives through a number of means, mainly holding literary seminars, lectures, and evenings, hosting periodic literary gatherings, publishing newsletters and literary journals, and printing literary and creative works. This comes in addition to establishing libraries and sources for literary and cultural information, utilizing all auditory, visual, electronic, and media means. They also undertake the establishment of a website that serves the club's purposes while leveraging other electronic communication sites. To that end, the literary club should find appropriate means to collaborate with government and private entities in a way that serves its objectives. Literary clubs work to grant awards to the works of Saudi writers, establish a database about writers within the club's scope, and exchange publications and journals between literary clubs.

The basic regulations for literary clubs and their accompanying internal regulations were adopted in 2011. Then, the basic regulations, financial regulations, and electoral regulations for literary clubs were adopted after their amendment in 2016.

Saudi intellectuals choose their candidates for the management of literary clubs through the general assembly, which includes the club's active members and participants with valid memberships. The general assembly oversees the policies, programs, and activities of the Board of Directors and monitors the implementation of its regulations. Additionally, it considers the election of board members when the board's term ends. The general assembly has the right to financial, cultural, and administrative oversight over the clubs.

Literary clubs offer membership options with associated fees for individuals. First, the active membership is open to Saudis or residents within the club's jurisdiction, as well as individuals with academic qualifications in languages and literature who have authored at least one literary book. Second, the participating membership is available to Saudis from inside or outside the club's jurisdiction and residents in the province. Third, the honorary membership is granted free of charge to the figures supporting the club's activities physically or morally. All memberships are granted after the approval of the board of directors.

Holders of both the active and participating memberships have the right to oversee the policies, regulations, and programs set by the board of directors. They are referred to as the general assembly. These memberships qualify them to attend the annual meeting with a representative from the Ministry of Culture, during which new regulations and laws are established, in addition to other duties related to the club's internal procedures.

The general assembly is responsible for electing members of the board of directors. The chairman of the board has to meet various requirements, with the foremost being an age of at least thirty years.