The ninth edition of the festival gathers more than 180 authors from 33 countries
Published: Fri 3 Mar 2017, 10:01 AM
Last updated: Fri 3 Mar 2017, 6:30 PM
Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature kicks off today until March 11, with happiness and tolerance being its main focus this year.
The nine-day festival, spread over two weekends, will feature more than 180 authors from 33 countries, including 70 authors from the UAE and Arab World, of which 40 are Emiratis.
The stellar line-up of authors includes more than 120 authors attending the festival for the first time.
The festival's ninth edition will examine the ideals of the two ministries of tolerance and happiness, appointed last year, through panel discussions and sessions given by an array of authors of different nationalities.
Minister of State for Tolerance HE Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi will lead a session titled 'A Time for Tolerance' with HE Omar Saif Ghobash, UAE ambassador to Russia and Reverend Andy Thompson.
Authors attending this year include Ernest Hemingway's grandson, writer and translator John Hemingway who will discuss his memoir, publisher of the bestselling sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, Thalia Suzuma and baking champion and cookbook writer Nadiya Hussain.
Lucy Hawking, who co-authored book of science fiction for children with her father the physicist Stephen Hawking, will have panel discussions and science winning author Jo Marchant will look into mind's ability to cure the human body.
Among the highlights this year is the School Librarian of the Year Award introduced for the first time to celebrate the work of the UAE's librarians in Arabic and international schools. Judges will select two unsung heroes from school community across the country.
The festival will also be holding four Creative Writing Courses. The three-day courses will cater to writers at different stages in their writing journey from startup writing, and new authors with a manuscript to writing for children in English and Arabic.
In collaboration with Department of Islamic Affairs and Emirates Red Crescent, the festival will also feature a 'Cook for Syria' charity dinner, where proceeds will go for humanitarian aid to children in Syria.
This year, an expected 25,000 students will benefit from the five-day Education programme from 5-9 March, which includes Student Sessions, competitions and author visits to schools.
Dubai Police will also be holding a special display of four supercars from their fleet on Saturday, March 4. The exhibit will also be accompanied by a performance by marching horses and the official police band at 1pm.
Ticket prices start at AED 40 and many children's events and activities are available free of charge. Tickets can be purchased on the Festival website (tickets.emirateslitfest.com) or via the ELF Dubai app.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
Highlights
Happiness and Tolerance Strands
School Librarian of the year award
Cook for Syria
Dubai Police discussing crime scenes
Five-day education program
Four Creative Writing Courses
"I'll make a man out of you" panel
iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
