Ever wondered where the heart of Arabic literature beats most vibrantly in Dubai? The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, held annually at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Arabic literary culture.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is one of the most prominent cultural and literary events held in Dubai. It celebrates the written and spoken word by bringing together a distinguished group of writers, creatives, and intellectuals worldwide. Organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation in strategic partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the festival provides a platform for global and local authors to showcase and discuss their works. It offers the public the opportunity to meet authors, participate in workshops, and engage in panel discussions and debates, making it a preferred destination for literature and culture enthusiasts.
Sharjah International Book Fair
Just a short drive from Dubai, the Sharjah International Book Fair is another significant event promoting Arabic literature. It serves as a cultural bridge, inviting renowned writers and intellectuals from across the Arab world. Visitors can attend engaging literary discussions, poetry readings, and book launches.
Dubai International Writers’ Centre
The Dubai International Writers’ Centre (DIWC) is located in the Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood. Launched on 3 November 2014, it is part of the Emirates Literature Foundation, established in 2013 through a decree by the Prime Minister and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Centre adjoins the new administrative offices of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and is designed to host a year-round program of events catering to the multicultural and multinational communities living in the region, as well as providing an international hub for writers and a space for visiting writers and writers-in-residence to share knowledge and expertise to locally-based writers and Centre users.
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) is a non-profit organisation which promotes awareness of Emirati culture, customs, traditions and religion among expatriates and foreign visitors in the United Arab Emirates, as well as aiming to remove cultural barriers. SMCCU was founded in 1998 by Sheikh Mohammed IV and is based in a traditional Emirati wind tower house, located in Bur Dubai’s historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. It operates under the banner of “Open Doors. Open Minds.” The centre arranges numerous activities, including tours of heritage sites and landmarks in Dubai, educational programs for students, cultural awareness events, lectures, Arabic classes (in local Gulf dialect), iftars during Ramadan, as well as providing the experience of traditional Emirati food.
Tashkeel Dubai
Tashkeel is an art facility in the United Arab Emirates. Established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2008 by Lateefa bint Maktoum. Operating on an open membership model, Tashkeel’s annual programme of training, residencies, workshops, talks, exhibitions, international collaborations and publications aims to further practitioner development, public engagement, lifelong learning and the creative and cultural industries.
SIKKA Art Fair
The SIKKA Art Fair is an annual event created by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority in 2011 as a commissioned art exhibition to showcase emerging artists from the United Arab Emirates. Originally focused on visual arts only but later widened its scope to cover film screenings, music, talks and workshops. Sikka takes place in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (al Bastakiya), The Arabic word sikka means alleyway.
Emirates Literature Foundation
The Emirates Literature Foundation focuses on bringing literature to life for students of all ages, working with their schools, universities, libraries and communities to foster a love of reading and writing. The Foundation runs the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and year-round initiatives, including the School Librarian of the Year Award and the Voices of Future Generations writing competition.
Arabic Day at Alif – Expo City Dubai
Immerse yourself in the cultural legacy with a captivating storytelling session by renowned author Fatima Sharafeddine. The event, titled “Weaving a dream of thousands of years,” offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Arabic literature and heritage.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is a government organisation dedicated to promoting the cultural and artistic landscape of Dubai. It supports various initiatives, including literature festivals, art exhibitions, and cultural events, to foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment in the city.
EmiratesLitFest Instagram
Stay updated with the latest events, author talks, and workshops by following the EmiratesLitFest on Instagram. The platform offers a glimpse into the vibrant literary scene of Dubai, showcasing moments from the festival and other literary events throughout the year.
This guide was prepared by the www.few.ae team to provide insights into attending Arabic literature festivals in Dubai.
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