EMIRATES LITFEST 2020 IS AROuND THE CORNER

Set to take place from February 4 to 9, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will host accomplished authors, including legendary ethologist Dr Jane Goodall, China’s top writer Mai Jia and Emirati authors shedding light on UAE culture.

The launch of the festival’s 12th edition was announced on Monday during a Press conference, where it was revealed that there will be a 50 per cent increase in the number of free sessions this time. The Festival Fringe and the Heritage Majlis will host the author sessions. There will be free comedy, poetry, fashion, cookery, book launches, insights into the world of publishing and literary agents and more.

This year there will also be a twoday global conference for literary directors.

About 25 directors from festivals around the world will be attending. “The breadth of our activities is ever increasing and we always aim to show the difference literature and books can make to the world we live in,” said Ahlam Bolooki, director of the festival.

“The International Literary Festivals’ Conference is another exciting development for us, demonstrating our position as one of the leading festivals internationally. “The directors attending the conference will gain a broader understanding of our country from a cultural perspective. It mirrors, in a present-day model, the timehonoured tradition of the majlis, gathering to discuss current events, recite poetry, tell stories, and reflect. We also hope that this programme will give Emirati writers the right exposure which could lead to them being invited to literature festivals around the world.”

The main session events in the festival also include a charity finale in collaboration with Dubai Cares, which will have music, poetry and readings. The initiative is in support of Dubai Cares’ programmes for child refugees across the region.

Dr Goodall will share her life’s work studying the apes of Gombe and her educational project in the UAE, called Roots and Shoots.