About Folklore Competition

The national Folklore competition is organized by the Ministry of Culture to aid in the intangible national heritage, through the revival of Folklore. It aims to motivate all members of the community to participate in documenting Folklore treasures through video or audio clips in the following competition tracks; Folk Music, Folk Dances, Folktales and Legends.

Objectives

To define the Folklore Heritage for all groups in the Saudi society.

To revive and preserve Saudi Folklore Heritage and prevent it from extinction.

To encourage individuals and institutions to participate in the documentation of known and unknown Folklore types.

To create a database of videos and audio recordings of Folklore through the 3 identified competition tracks, that will benefit the Kingdom’s initiative to document national intangible heritage.

Competition Tracks

You may participate in any or all of the following competition tracks.

Registration is closed
Registration is closed
Registration is closed

Competition Stages

In this stage, participants may register and submit their submissions in one of the participation tracks.

Prizes

There will be 10 winners for each track, and they shall receive prizes totaling up to One Million Saudi Riyals!

Folk Music Track

10 winning submissions

The winning submission will receive a monetary prize equal to 35,000 SAR

Folk Dances Track

10 winning submissions

The winning submission will receive a monetary prize equal to 35,000 SAR

Folktales & Legends Track

10 winning submissions

The winning submission will receive a monetary prize equal to 35,000 SAR

Important Information

FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Folklore Competition?

    The national Folklore competition is organized by the Ministry of Culture to aid in the intangible national heritage, through the revival of Folklore. It aims to motivate all members of the community to participate in documenting Folklore treasures through Video or Audio clips in the following competition tracks; Folk Music, Folk Dances, Folktales and Legends.

    How can I participate?

    You can participate by submitting a Video (ex: a Video clip for you and your group dancing Al-Ardaa) or an Audio (ex: an Audio clip narrating a folktale).

    How will my submission be evaluated?

    Submissions will be evaluated based on each track’s criteria.

    How will the winners be selected?

    The top submissions will be evaluated by the judging committee to determine the winners.

    What is the Video or Audio type?

    All types of Video clips and Audio clips are acceptable.

    How will submissions in Folk Music Track be evaluated?

    1. To submit a folk music or song associated with our national heritage.
    2. To depict the original way of performing the music or song, whether it was individually or in a group.
    3. To pay tribute to the traditional wear of the performance.
    4. To present a short brief about the music or song as an introduction.

    How will submissions in Folk Dances Track be evaluated?

    1. To perform a folk dance associated with our national heritage.
    2. To perform the dance accurately, in a way that depicts how it was originally performed, whether it was accompanied by drums, clapping or vocal tunes and with appropriate and accurate costumes.
    3. To perform the dance individually or with a group depending on the type of the dance and its customs.
    4. To present a short brief about the dance as an introduction.
    5. To present a Video or Audio clip that is valid and historically accurate, with attention to details around the instructions of the dance steps, the historical significance and place of origin.

    How will submissions in Folktales Track be evaluated?

    1. To present a folktale or local legend.
    2. To record the tales and legends with the voice of the original narrator, or from the person who heard the story, or from the person who documented it.
    3. To record the story in the same dialect and tone of voice as originally told.
    4. To present a brief on the original storyteller or about the legend.
    5. To mirror the original way of sharing folktales and taking into account the general atmosphere.

    What are the stages that require my physical attendance?

    Participants aren't required to attend physically at any stage of the competition. However, if you are one of the winners, you will be contacted to physically attend to receive your prize.

    Can I withdraw from the competition after submitting?

    Yes, you may withdraw prior to January 1st, 2020 by sending an email to the Project Team.

    Is participation only limited to the citizens?

    Residents and citizens can participate and nominate in the various competition tracks.

    I have a question not covered by the FAQs, how can I reach the Project Team?

    You can reach the Project Team by sending an email to: Engage@moc.gov.sa

    Registration

    I forgot my password; how can I acquire a new password?

    Click on "Login" at the top of the homepage and then click on "Forgot my Password" and follow the steps.

    I did not receive the activation email after registering, what do I do?

    There could be a slight delay in receiving the activation email after the registration. If the delay continues, please contact us on: Engage@moc.gov.sa

    Participation

    Can I participate in more than one track?

    Yes, you may participate in different tracks.

    Can I submit multiple participations in the same track?

    Yes, you may submit multiple participations in the same track.

    What language should the submission be?

    You can participate in either Arabic or English.

    How can I make sure that my participation has been received?

    You will receive a confirmation email to the same email you originally registered with.

    Can I edit my submission?

    You may not edit your submission, but you can request for your submission to be deleted by sending an email to the Project Team and submitting again once you are ready.

    Does the submitted Video have to be professional?

    No, it does not but your performance must be clear in the Video.

    Can I send the submission through mail?

    No, all submissions must be submitted through the official website of the competition. Any submission received through email or any other means will not be accepted.

    Can I share a Photo rather than a Video or an Audio?

    No, the submission can only include Video or Audio.

    What needs to be presented in the Video?

    Depending on the track you chose, the Folklore art must appear clearly.

    Winners and Prizes

    How will I know if my submission was selected?

    If your submission is nominated for the final stages, we will contact you through the contact information you provided in the registration form.

    How many winners are there?

    There are 30 winners in total, 10 winners for each track.

    What are the prizes?

    The winning submission will receive a monetary prize equal to 35,000 SAR.

Terms & Conditions

    General Terms & Conditions:

    1. The following terms and conditions apply when participating in the Folklore Competition.

    2. By using the Folklore Competition Platform, you are agreeing to adhere to the stated terms and conditions.

    3. The Ministry of Culture has the right at any point to change the terms and conditions, and the participant should review them periodically. In addition, the Ministry of Culture is not obligated to announce publicly any changes made to the Terms and Conditions.

    4. The Ministry of Culture has the right to refrain from awarding the prize to the primary winner and to choose an alternative winner at their discretion, should the participant have been found in violation of the terms, conditions and the general direction of the competition.

    5. The participant must remain honest in all competition stages and must commit to attending and proceeding in all stages of the competition.

    6. The participant reserves the right to withdraw from the competition at any stage prior to the Winners’ Announcement, with the condition of informing the Competition Management Team by sending an email to Engage@moc.gov.sa of their decision to be disregarded in the remaining stages.

    7. The Ministry of Culture reserves the right to publish any personal details on the participants, and anything related to the competition through the Platform and social media channels owned by them.

    Participant Eligibility:

    1. The participant is 15 years old and older.

    2. The participant’s personal information should be complete.

    3. Participation is open to all citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to individuals and groups of folklore and institutions that play an active role in preserving our intangible cultural heritage.

    4. Participations can be submitted in one or more of the Competition Tracks linked to intangible cultural heritage.

    5. The submission belongs to the competition and has not been used previously for any purpose.

    6. The folklore submission is local.

    7. The submission adheres to the correct attire/costume with respect to the traditions and customs.

    8. The submission is either in a video or audio clip format only.

    9. The submission is only valid if uploaded onto the competition’s website.

    10. The submission complies with all specified terms related to each individual track.

    11. The participant owns all intellectual property rights in regards to the submission, or part ownership is acceptable if the participant received consent from the other owners, along with proof of consent.

    12. The participant must comply with all competition deadlines in all competition tracks.

    13. The employees of the Ministry of Culture, the organizing company and associated companies as well as members of the Nomination and Judging committees cannot participate in the Competition.

    14. The participant may submit the same submission in the different tracks identified if they comply with all the requirements of each individual track, however only one submission will be considered for the final nomination.

    Intellectual Property:

    1. In the case that the same submission was given by two different people on the Competition website, the Ministry of Culture will henceforth depend on the earliest date and time of the submission to choose the nominated submission, unless one of the individuals submitted proof of intellectual property.

    2. The Ministry of Culture will save all detailed files submitted through the Competition Platform or the ones given by email.

    3. By participating, the participant is agreeing to allow the Ministry of Culture or any third party associated with the Ministry to publish submissions on the Competition Platforms and any other communication platforms whether they currently exist or will be formed in the future, including but not limited to mobile advertisements, television, radio, etc. and to use them for marketing purposes. In addition, the participant is also granting the Ministry of Culture and any authorized entity associated with the Ministry complete intellectual ownership to present, spread, change, edit and save it at their discretion. In addition, the Ministry of Culture may also repeat its production in a different manner or license it to another entity with the goal of using it to spread it, based on the participant handing over the original intellectual property rights.

    4. The submission must have all details, and relevant personal details so that it may be verified. The participant hereby acknowledges that all information submitted to the Competition does not infringe on any third party’s intellectual property, special rights, privacy or other rights, and does not imply abuse, encroachment, defamation, threat, contempt or other prohibitions. Otherwise, the Ministry of Culture reserves the right to refuse to publish or exclude participation and to refer the participant to any damage done to the integrity of the competition.

    5. The participant is hereby agreeing for the Ministry of Culture to film promotion campaigns and using winning entries and the names of all the winners in all available advertising means.

    6. The Ministry of Culture does not assume any intellectual property rights claimed by the participant. The Ministry assumes no legal liability in respect of the intellectual property of the material posted on the Competition Page, which may constitute a violation of registered property rights.

    Legal Responsibility:

    1. Participation does not violate or encourage violation of any international or domestic rights, laws or provisions.

    2. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws applicable in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as applied in Riyadh by the media legislation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Any dispute arising shall be subject exclusively to the competent courts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

    3. The winning participant acknowledges his waiver of all intellectual property rights contained in all his submitted work and winning piece derived from the Folklore Competition Platform.

    4. The evaluation process is subject to strict laws. All details, including intellectual property rights will be scrutinized. In the case of a winner violated any of the terms and conditions or has committed any legal offense to win the competition will be subject to legal accountability and return of support to the Ministry of Culture.

    5. In the event of a dispute concerning the intellectual property of the submission or any other dispute, the participant disclaims the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture from any liability for any material loss, damage or any psychological damage resulting therefrom, and the participant shall be solely responsible for any such violations or breach. The Ministry of Culture and/or Project Team may also exclude the offending participant.

    6. The Ministry of Culture and/or the Project Team reserves the right to exclude any submissions that do not comply with the terms and conditions, the evaluation criteria or the general direction of the Competition and for any reason the Ministry of Culture deems fit.

    7. The Ministry of Culture is not liable for any financial losses, damage, disappointment or psychological damage suffered by the participant as a result of participating in the competition. The Ministry of Culture is not liable if wrong or inaccurate information results from human errors, technical failures such as loss or a delay of data transfer or deletion, malfunction of telephone line, computer or network, computer accessories, software or any other reasons that may delay access to the website. The participant should ensure that the required material is always properly submitted.

    8. By using the Competition Platform, the participant acknowledges the right of the Ministry of Culture to retain all submitted files and related matters within its archive.

    9. The participant must be completely honest in all stages of the competition, and must attend (if necessary) and complete all phases of the competition himself, as no person is allowed to represent him at any stage of the competition, except with the official approval of the Ministry of Culture.

    10. By using the Competition Platform, the participant acknowledges the right of the Ministry of Culture to require the participant to provide more information or supporting documents for his participation to verify its credibility.

    11. The participant shall have absolute authority to agree to the terms and conditions and shall fulfill any rights to the Third Party and shall be solely responsible for any breach of this clause. The participant must declare his obligation in any contractual relationship the Third Party, be it a business agency, talent management or otherwise. This may prevent the participant from participating in the whole or in part of the competition or may limit the Ministry of Culture’s authority to use the entry or content in whole or in part.

    12. The judging panel will evaluate the eligible entries based on the selection criteria of the winners and can communicate with the candidates if necessary.

    13. The Ministry of Culture is not responsible for all legal actions the participant is facing where they may have violated any laws before the official authorities.