Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature off to a flying start
Organisers of The Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) said today that textbook planning was well underway and dozens of international authors have already confirmed their attendance at the event to be held in Dubai next year.
News of the EAIFL, the first ever festival of its kind in the Middle East, came at the London Book Fair in April. Since then, the response has been overwhelming. 26 renowned authors have given their full support for the gathering, which follows His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai’s vision of eradicating illiteracy in the Arab world.
Among those who will be flown to Dubai, courtesy of title sponsor Emirates, are English adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Paulo Coehlo, Louis de Bernieres, Rageh Omaar, Penny Vincenzi, Second Children’s Laureate Anne Fine, Margaret Atwood, Jung Chang, Mark Tully, renowned children’s authors Jeremy Strong and Lauren Child. The EAIFL will run over four days at Dubai Festival City from 26th February 2009.
Speaking today, at a press conference to officially announce the festival to the media in Dubai, Isobel Abulhoul, Director of EAIFL and bookshop chain Magrudy’s said: “The opportunity to be a part of the Middle East’s first international literary event has been a huge draw for writers of all genres. The festival is certainly on track to play a key role in the UAE’s burgeoning cultural scene.”
Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “While Emirates may be better known for its major sponsorship of sports, we are also an established supporter of the arts and culture, both locally and internationally - most recently with the UK’s Hay Festival. So rather than turning over a new leaf, the EAIFL sponsorship is more a case of venturing deeper into the literary world. As a multi-award winning airline, we value creativity and innovation and recognise this in masters of the written word.”
Two renowned authors from the Western and Arab worlds attended today’s media event to support the new cultural initiative. Kate Adie, OBE, the renowned BBC war correspondent and author of bestselling autobiography ‘The Kindness of Strangers’ and Khaled Alkhamissi the Arab writer famed for his novel ‘Taxi’.
“EAIFL will reflect the rich literary heritage from all nationalities that make up the UAE’s population. As literacy is one of the most fundamental building blocks in the development of any society, EAIFL will highlight not only the educational importance, but also how entertaining literature in all its forms can be,” he said.
According to the Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Alesco) 100 million people across the Arab world are unable to read or write. The UAE has pledged to eradicate illiteracy completely by 2015.
The festival will conclude with ‘Education Day’. This will be the first literary festival globally to dedicate a day to promoting the development of literary understanding through interactive workshops, readings and seminars.
Dr. Salah Al Qasim, Advisor to Dubai Culture and Arts Authority stated: “This festival will form an integral part of the ongoing development of the UAE’s cultural offerings. In line with the UAE’s vision to achieve a 100 percent literacy rate by 2015, EAIFL and its partners will help to spearhead the development of this important cause with its annual events.”
