Dubai: For the first time, the Emirates Literature Foundation will honour and reward journalists who provide the most “informative and exciting” coverage of the foundation’s flagship event, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, taking place in March 2017.

The awards are open to Arabic and English print and online publications, from the GCC, UK and India, producing original content about the festival, with a special focus on encouraging reading.

Each Arabic and English winner will receive a four-day weekend trip for two to New York or London, including flights and accommodation at the five star InterContinental Hotel.

“The media play an integral role in conveying the importance of reading in the UAE,” said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the foundation.

“We have instituted the Media Awards to thank them for supporting the Foundation and its initiatives to encourage a culture of reading in the country. We hope this award will initiate a healthy dialogue about literature and its impact on society.”

The ninth annual edition of the festival will be held from March 3 to 11, 2017, featuring more than 150 authors from 30 countries. Around 250 sessions, panels, workshops and special events will take place over the nine days of the festival, alongside five days of education events, student competitions and Fringe activities.

Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, CEO and trustee of the foundation and director of the festival, said: “The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and the Emirates Literature Foundation have always enjoyed a convivial relationship with the media. Of course, journalists are equally excited about the author line-up each year, plus the chance to interview celebrities from near and far. Journalists understand why reading is so important for us all and they put their hearts and souls into helping the annual festival reach new heights each year.”

She added: “The awards will highlight the skill and dedication that journalists take in the written and spoken word, and also the important role they play in helping to encourage reading across the UAE and beyond. Many attend the Festival and our Foundation events with great enthusiasm and, hopefully, the Media Awards will encourage some innovative and interesting features based on the many sessions and workshops.”

The eligible coverage dates for the award are from October 19 to April 10, 2017. The deadline for submissions is April 10, 2017. Details for submissions are available on www.emirateslitfest.com/media-awards-2017/