Dubai to host international literature festival

Some of the best-selling English authors such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Anne Fine, Frank McCourt and Robin Sharma will rub elbows with famous Arab writers like Jamal Al Ghitani, Raja Alsanea, Haifa Bitar in Dubai in February next year to promote reading among youngsters.

They will be part of about 60 contemporary authors from the English and Arabic-speaking worlds set to descend upon Dubai in February next year to take part in the four-day Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) which will kick off from February 26.

The event will feature book signings, workshops, discussions, debates, readings and writing contests for different age groups and school visits by the authors.

The focus, though, will be on children, said festival director Isobel Abulhoul.

Abulhoul said an event highlight would be the Education Day on March 1, when the world's leading authors would visit the city's schools and colleges to promote reading and writing by engaging students through lectures, seminars and workshops.

“To inspire the next generation, there will be a creative writing contest in English and Arabic for children in the eight-to-16 age group. Winning entries will be published in a compilation that will be signed by the authors,'' Abulhoul, who is also the director of Magrudy's, said.

“When the children meet the authors face to face, their life will be changed forever. We will touch thousands of children. It will be like lighting a candle in the dark as it will bring home to participants the importance of being literate in our mother tongues -- Arabic and English,'' she observed.

Popular fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, children's fiction and Arab writings will be featured in the programmes that will cater to audiences of varying ages, cultures, interests and aspirations.

The events will be ticketed on nominal charges and specific time slots will be allotted, she said.

The main events will be held in open areas around the Intercontinental and Crowne Plaza Hotels in Dubai Festival City, while other activities will be spread across the Festival City and Boardwalks.

“The festival aims are to rekindle a passion for literature and build linguistic bridges and narrow gaps between writers of one culture and readers of others. There will be a strong emphasis on introducing Arab authors to multicultural audiences and promoting Arabic literature across all levels within the context of the international gathering,'' Abulhoul said.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Project Officer to the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA), noted that the Arab League had estimated that 100 million Arabs did not know to read and write.

The festival was in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote learning and eradicate illiteracy.

Nahed Al Shawa, Riyadh-based writer of children's stories, noted that the average Arab child reads one page ever year, whereas the average European child reads 10 books a year.

Festival organizers also hope parents would understand the importance of reading among their children at least for 10 minutes every day for the brighter future of their countries.

Anthony Horowitz, UK-based author and screenwriter, said it was vital to inculcate reading habits among children at an early age to prevent their slide into delinquency and crime.

An international festival like this would enable people of different cultures to understand one another.

“I am ashamed that I don't know Arabic writers,'' he admitted, adding: It would be great forum for writers to meet their counterparts and readers from other countries.


Notable authors in English and Arabic joining EAIFL:


English language authors

Chimamanda Adichie, Kate Adie, Margaret Atwood, Rachel Billington, Terry Brooks, Jung Chang, Lauren Child, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Anne Fine, Anthony Horowitz, Frank McCourt, Anthony Maitland, Claudia Roden, Robin Sharma, Wilbur Smith and Mark Tully.


Arab writers and poets

Who will participate are Turki Al Dakheel, Khaled Al Khamissi, Ibrahim Al Kouni, Jamal Al Ghitani, Raja Alsanea, Haifa Bitar, Sahar El Mougy, Hani Nakshabandi, Ibrahim Nassrallah, Mekkawi Said and Nahed Al Shawa.