– Latifa bint Mohammed attends the official ceremony of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2022
– His Highness underlines the important role of the Festival in the development of the literary ecosystem in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates
-Latifa bint Muhammad: In line with Dubai‘s philosophy of cultural inclusivity, the Festival brings together rich creative perspectives and distinctive literary voices from the UAE and around the world.
The new publishing house is an important step to strengthen the literary and publishing sector, says His Highness
– Emirati Cultural Day on February 3 marks the start of the Festival
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Executive Council, attended the official ceremony of the Emirates Airline Literature Festival (EAFOL ) 2022. Held under the theme “Here Comes the Sun”, the 2022 edition of the Festival features some of the greatest literary figures from the UAE and around the world.
The official Festival ceremony kicked off with the launch of the new publishing house “ELF Publishing LLC” which was recently announced by the Emirates Literature Foundation in partnership with Dubai Culture as part of joint efforts to promote local talent promising. Writers attending the Festival have welcomed the new publishing initiative. One of the world’s premier literary events, the Festival is held at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City and Al Habtoor Palace Hotel from February 3-13,
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa highlighted the important role played by the event in supporting the development of the literary ecosystem in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. She highlighted the Authority’s willingness to support such cultural events, which serve as a platform for creative talents to showcase their achievements and promote constructive cultural dialogue. His Highness also hailed the initiative of the new publishing house as an important step in enhancing the growth of the literary community and the publishing industry as well as supporting the development of literary talent in the UAE.
His Highness further highlighted the Festival’s vital role in promoting local talent and creating forums for them to engage with international writers and intellectuals. In line with Dubai’s philosophy of cultural inclusiveness, the Festival provides an invaluable opportunity for lovers of literature and culture to engage in enriching interactions between writers from the UAE and around the world who bring creative perspectives and distinctive literary voices, said Sheikha Latifa.
The official ceremony also took place in the presence of Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation; Her Excellency Hala Badri, Executive Director of Dubai Culture; Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation; Ahlam Bolooki, director of the Emirates Airline Literature Festival; Jennifer Malton, COO of the Emirates Literature Foundation; and a group of local and international writers.
The official ceremony ended with the beautiful voices and captivating melodies of the UAE Youth Choir, which began the event with the UAE National Anthem and then performed a variety of lyrical pieces.
The Emirati Cultural Day organized with the support of Dubai Culture on February 3, the first day of the Festival, saw a rich series of sessions and workshops featuring eminent Emirati writers. The event included story readings, poetry and panel discussions on a variety of topics, including film writing, the role of women in education, collecting arts, and more.
Hala Badri, accompanied by a group of Authority officials, attended a panel discussion titled “The Future of the Creative Economy” during the Emirati Cultural Day. The panel included Emirati writer Noora Al Awadhi; Emirati singer, songwriter and producer Abdullah Almestrih Alnuaimi; Waheeda AlHadhrami from the Ministry of Culture and Youth; and Italian artist, curator and art producer Giuseppe Moscatello. The panel was chaired by Dr. Ashraf Ali Mahate, Chief Economist at Dubai Industries and Exports, an agency of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.
During the discussion, panelists discussed the roles of literature and the arts in the country’s creative economy and investment opportunities in the sector. The session also discussed how a wide range of literary and artistic activities, including podcasts, film, games, music, etc., can contribute to the growth of the creative economy.
Badri noted that the creative economy plays a vital role in the global economy and is one of the key sectors that can raise a country’s profile on the international cultural map. She pointed out that Dubai Culture’s strategic roadmap places the highest priority on nurturing creativity and innovation in the emirate as part of the broader framework of creating an economic system that fosters cultural development. The roadmap also aims to make Dubai the world capital of the creative economy by 2025 and to increase its attractiveness as a destination for talent in various creative sectors.
To view the full Festival program and purchase tickets, please visit http://www.emirateslitfest.com
