UAE | Heritage and Culture
Author Atwood's withdrawal from literature festival 'disappointing'
Canadian author Margaret Atwood's decision to withdraw from UAE's first international literature festival starting later this month was 'regrettable', said a senior executive of the festival on Thursday.
- By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:10 February 19, 2009
- Image Credit: Supplied photo
- Canadian author Margaret Atwood's decision to withdraw from UAE's first international literature festival starting later this month was 'regrettable', said a senior executive of the festival on Thursday.
Dubai: Canadian author Margaret Atwood's decision to withdraw from UAE's first international literature festival starting later this month was 'regrettable', said a senior executive of the festival on Thursday.
"We have tried to contact Atwood asking her to reconsider as we would like to speak directly with her to share the full picture," said Isobel Abulhoul, Director of the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL), in a statement.
She said the invitation to Atwood was issued in good faith and in tribute to her stature in the literary world. "We very much hope that she may attend a festival in the future as we continue to have great respect for her work," she added.
Atwood has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize five times, winning once. She was also the finalist for the Governor General's Award seven times, winning twice. She is the vice president of PEN, a world-wide association of writers, and has been described as a 'scintillating wordsmith'.
Atwood's decision to withdraw from the Festival, which runs between February 26 to March 1, was because of EAIFL's move not to launch British author Geraldine Bedells' book, The Gulf Between Us, at the festival because it could offend local cultural sensitivities. Bedell had described her book as a romantic comedy. It is set in fictional Gulf state and includes a character who is gay.
"In organising any literary festival... one has to take decisions regarding the target audience. Dubai has not changed its social norms, culture or laws," said Abulhoul.
"We are very disappointed and not a little surprised that it has taken so long for anyone to reconsider their position - particularly if this reconsideration is linked to Geraldine Bedell's position which, while communicated to her last September, has come to the public's attention only now and around the publication of her novel," Abulhoul said in a statement about Atwood's decision to withdraw.
More than 65 star authors from 20 countries are expected to take part in the Festival, which hopes to help bridge the gap between the East and West.
"The ambition behind setting up the festival is fuelled by our heartfelt belief in actively engaging and helping to bridge the gap between East and West," said Abulhoul.
"I would hope that anyone informed and interested in the differing cultures around the world would both understand and respect the path we tread in setting up the first festival of this nature in the Middle East," she added.
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Latest news
- Competition for aspiring photographers
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
