Emirates Airline Festival of Literature @ Intercontinental from 3rd to 11th March 2017
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the Middle East’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together with authors from across the world to promote education, debate and above all else, love of reading and writing.
The Festival creates a wonderful opportunity for UAE nationals, residents and visitors to meet world famous authors, attend literary debates, listen to readings, participate in workshops and experience the exciting fringe and children’s events.
The 2017 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature takes place from 3-11 March at Intercontinental Festival City, during the UAE’s 2017 Month of Reading, with more than 180 authors from 33 countries, including 70 authors from the UAE and Arab World. The stellar line-up of authors includes more than 120 authors attending the Festival for the first time. Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
At the pre-Festival press conference, Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature said, ‘2016 was the Year of Reading, celebrating books and reading in the UAE, but we cannot lose momentum now. We have a dazzling array of writers who will entertain, inspire, and a rich diverse range of genres and topics that will fascinate avid readers and surely spark an interest in those who don’t often pick up a book. This year, the Festival takes place for nine days, spread over two weekends, providing our widest range of subjects so that visitors can be sure of seeing their favourite sessions. I believe it is going to be our best Festival yet.’
Among the many activities you can do during the 9-day festival we will highlight one for workers in the publishing sector.
Dubai International Publishing Conference. In partnership with the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Emirates Literature Foundation will hold the first Dubai International Publishing Conference from 5-6 March 2017. The two-day event runs concurrently with the Festival and will host sessions with world-class experts from all sectors of the publishing industry. The Conference is the ideal setting for all those interested in gaining an insight into the international and regional workings of the publishing field. The Conference inauguration will take place on 5 March at 10:30am.