Dubai: Two Emirati children’s book authors visited private schools across Dubai to promote reading as part of the First Arabic Language Week held earlier this month by the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
Authors’ Fatima Al Kamali and Hamda Al Bastaki of “I Don’t Want to Shower” — which was published with the aid of Dubai Airports — visited private schools all over Dubai to promote a love of reading and books.
“We were very pleased to have Fatima and Hamda with us at the Arabic Language Week. Their book was very well-received and their success story is inspiring. It is wonderful that young authors are writing engaging stories for children in Arabic,” said Yara Mirdad, Education and Children’s Programme Coordinator at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
The local Emirati students wrote “I Don’t Want to Shower” while studying in the Applied Communications department of HCT – Dubai, Women’s Campus.
The book, they said, was the perfect vehicle for them to use their creative writing, design and illustrative skills.
Both authors have a keen interest in film.
Hamda directed the film “El Laileh”, which was showcased as part of the Cannes Film Festival.
Their films have also been shown at regional film festivals.
The ‘First Arabic Language Week’ was held between October 6-12, where the KHDA chose 23 private schools that have a large number of Emirati students to be visited by local authors.
Other local children’s authors that were expected to take part in this initiative include Manal Al Ghadani, Maitha Al Khayat, Sahar Naja Mahfouz, Reem Al Gurg, Noura Al No’man and Noura Al Khoury.
The 2014 Festival will be held in March, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, Dubai.
