Covering a diverse range of themes and topics from horror to comics, with everything in between, the workshops are led by some of the world’s leading literary figures
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will run from 1-6 February 2023 with tickets available to purchase now
Dubai, December 19, 2022: The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature has announced its full line up of masterclasses at this year’s hotly anticipated event, with a fantastic range of workshops across both Arabic and English from award-winning international and local authors.
Priced between 150Dhs – 300Dhs, the unmissable sessions take place between 1-6 February across the festival’s two homes – the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library and the InterContinental hotel, Dubai Festival City.
Horror buffs can rejoice with an insightful session from award-winning Catriona Ward, whose work was earmarked by Stephen King as ‘authentically terrifying’ on how to haunt the text and hone the horror, while the comic loving community cannot miss Nathan Pyle’s gathering on web comics.
Those looking to learn more about writing their own novels should head for sessions by Jo Browning Wroe on the art of compelling storytelling, while Greg and Kate Mosse will lead a workshop on writing dazzling dialogue. Luigi and Alison Bonomi will take attendees on an educational journey of how to pitch your novel once it’s written, while Felicity Blunt will explain how to secure an agent. Sessions on writing in Arabic will be led by Dr Rana Dajani and Haji Jabir on how to write your first book, and Hend Saeed on writing with the senses.
If illustration is the book hook, Maitha Al Khayat will introduce how to tell stories through images, Kajo Baldisimo will lead an illustration workshop, while Flavia Z. Drago will discuss Mexican Folk Art with an audience keen to learn more about Cartinas, Bruhas, and Fantasmas.
“Our exciting and diverse line up of workshops are always eagerly awaited by the vibrant community of writers in the UAE who want to hone their writing and illustration skills and this year we go beyond that with sessions on the metaverse and podcasts,” said Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, CEO, and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which organises the Festival. “The chance to be in the same room and learn from top authors and experts is invaluable, so we keep spaces limited to ensure that those lucky enough to take part really benefit from the experience. This year will be no exception, and we expect the workshops to sell out quickly.”
About the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature:
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the Arab World’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, featuring international and regional writers, poets, thinkers and speakers from around the world. Over the last 14 years more than 1,800 authors from over one hundred countries have spoken at the Festival. In 2022 the Festival reached more than 105,000 people, in person and via live streaming. Sessions included multi-talented top children’s author David Walliams, entreprenuer Gary Vaynerchuck, Indra Nooyi ranked amongst the world’s 100 most powerful women executives, and Bridgerton author Julia Quinn, and the Education Programme featured children’s favourites Ali Sparkes, Rob Biddulph, Sanaa Chabbani, Gulnar Hajou and Ken Arto.
The aim of the Festival is to develop a culture of reading as an enjoyable habit in the UAE, and its efforts have been recognised through many awards over the years. By providing an equal platform for international and locally based talents, the Festival continues to build the literary landscape in the UAE and further afield. Alongside the main programme, the Festival organises an Education programme, reaching students across the seven emirates of the UAE. There are also student competitions, held in Arabic and English, which allow young people to showcase their skills through poetry, short stories and reading.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Festival is a key part of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which was established in 2013 by Royal Decree. In partnership with Emirates Airline and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated authority for heritage, arts, and culture, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will be back in 2023. For information and updates about the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature visit the website: www.emirateslitfest.com
About the Emirates Literature Foundation:
The Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures a love of literature in the United Arab Emirates and the region, through a programme of varied cultural initiatives.
Established in 2013 by Royal Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims to foster a love for literature, with a focus on the Arabic language.
In line with the National Reading Policy of the UAE, the Foundation has implemented several long-term projects including the School Librarian of the Year Award, Kateb Maktub, and From the Inside Out, as well as conducting year-round student education programmes, book clubs and mentorship programmes.
The Foundation’s previous initiatives included the 2020 International Literary Festivals Conference, the 2017 Dubai International Publishing Conference and the 2016 Dubai Translation Conference.
The Foundation is also the governing body of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE’s premier literary festival.
