Going Literary in Dubai
This morning I heard about the first Dubai Literary Festival ! I knew it would be only a matter of time. I’ve noticed in the last five years, Dubai has managed to launch a film festival, an art festival, a film festival and now a Literary Festival. I’ve never been to one before, but I can only imagine that it will be one of my favorites since I’m an avid reader.
I read that amongst the writers there will be Margaret Atwood, Frank McCourt, Paulo Coelho, Khaled Al Khamissi and Anne Fine. I can contain myself. I can’t imagine that I’ll actually get to meet all of my favorite authors in one place. I heard all the Luxury Hotels Dubai UAE will be participating alongside the main sponsors the Emirates Airline International . Apparently, Literary festivals are becoming increasingly more popular in countries looking to attract a niche audience of a higher quality of discerning visitors.
Less than four weeks after the announcement from the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature at London’s Book Fair last April about the newly formed Literary Festival in Dubai, 22 authors committed themselves to attend. Initially, the EAIFL thought it would be a challenge to get the big names to attend, but now they are wondering where to fit in all of them. The Literary Festival is definitely on track at playing a key role in the UAE’s burgeoning cultural scene.
The EAIFL focused on two key elements for it’s first annual Literary Festival, education and literacy . Basically, education is the main reason they decided to hold the festival because for students, whether they are in elementary or attending a University, the chance to get close to world-class authors can be a momentous event. It can be an experience of a lifetime, one they never will forget. As for the literacy aspect, which is a very real concern, they feel this festival will push back boundaries that will enable the eradication of illiteracy. Children will be encouraged to take up reading for fun and not just because they have to. Children will be able to meet with all genres of writers and be able to ask questions or acquire insight about the book they are at the moment reading.
I can’t wait. This festival will transform not only myself, but all of my fellow Dubai who attend.
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