Dubai: The third Emirates Airline Festival of Literature officially opened yesterday with performances from more than 500, including school children from around the UAE and festival authors.
Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture, which supports the event, attended the varied display of music, poetry and dance. "Everything at our festival is live, and you feel alive being part of it," Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director, said at the opening ceremony.
Radio 1/ Radio 2: Writers descend in Dubai for literature fest. Feyaza Khan reports:
"I believe we need to help as many people as possible through that magic door into the world of books and enjoyment. I hope that our festival will bring that about for many, many people over the next few days. Every single person here can assist in the fight against illiteracy," she said.
The Emirati Youth Choir opened the ceremony at the Cultural and Scientific Association, Al Mamzar, with a performance of the haunting "Pearl Divers Song". Aerial performance artists swooped across the stage to the rhythm of the traditional drums, taking the audience back to a time when pearl divers collected oysters from the sea bed.
The participation of the community in the annual event is very important, and gives the younger generation opportunities to formulate creations that distinguish the city, Mohammad Al Murr, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said at the ceremony.
Reminder of hardships
Al Murr is also a writer and will be appearing at the Lit Fest.
Poets Dha'en Shaheen and Roger McGough recited poems written especially for the opening ceremony by them, before author Michael Morpurgo spoke about the theatre adaptation of his book War Horse. The Emirates airline choir performed two songs, conducted by Stuart Squire.
"I came here 33 years ago and have seen decades of change in Dubai, all for the good. The performance is a reminder of the hardships the pearl divers had to endure. The pearl divers had to stay underwater for five minutes and didn't survive to 40 years old," Sir Maurice Flanagan, Chairman, Emirates airline, said at the ceremony.
Rare opportunity: Chance to meet authors
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is a celebration of literature in all its forms. As the Middle East's largest annual literary festival, it offers residents and overseas visitors the opportunity to meet famous authors, attend literary debates, listen to readings and participate in workshops.
Attendees can also enjoy many fringe activities that are held as part of the Festival. Emirates Lit Fest 2011 will be held until Saturday at The Cultural and Scientific Association at Al Mamzar and the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.
For ticketing information, log on to www.eaifl.com
