The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature begins on Friday, taking place over three weekends in a format that reinvigorates the popular annual event.
This year's festival, which runs until February 13, will adopt a hybrid approach, hosting live appearances from several regional and international authors, as well as online sessions embracing literature, art, science and film.
A number of literary heavyweights are scheduled to appear at the event, including Elif Shafak, Amin Maalouf and Lemn Sissay, and Dubai's own Booker Prize-finalist Avni Doshi.
Many of the sessions, which for the first time in the festival's history will be held across several venues, will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend. Sessions will open at the Jameel Arts Centre, move on to the InterContinental Dubai – Festival City, where 80 workshops and performances are scheduled to take place, before wrapping up at Alserkal Avenue.
Here's our pick of 11 of the best sessions at this year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
Avni Doshi: 'Burnt Sugar'
Avni Doshi made headlines last year after her novel Burnt Sugar was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.
The Indian-American writer, who lives in Dubai, is believed to be the first author residing in the UAE to be nominated for the prize. Doshi will be appearing on the first day of the festival to discuss her journey to publication, elaborating on her lengthy redrafting process, followed by the competition among publishers to get the rights to the finished novel.
When: Friday; 5.30pm-6.30pm
Where: Amphitheatre, Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront
The Future of the Arabic Language
In this session, Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE's Minister of Culture and Youth, will lead a talk that unveils a major new study that explores how Arabic is faring relative to other languages, also discussing trends that the publishing industry should be aware of, and whether people are reading in Arabic for pleasure.
When: Thursday, February 4; 12.30pm-1.30pm
Where: Al Baraha 3, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Publishing in a Time of Crisis
In this session, Emirati writer, critic and researcher Fatima Albreiki, who is the founder of Sama House for Publishing, Production &Distribution, will meet Talal Salim Alsaabri, Emirati publisher and founder of Jumeira Publishing House, to discuss the industry's response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the innovations that have arisen as a result of this challenging time.
When: Thursday, February 4; 12.30pm-1.30pm
Where: Al Baraha 1, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Sultan Al Ameemi: The Human Face of Literature
Emirati writer, poet and researcher Sultan Al Ameemi will discuss how literature can help us achieve inner peace and make us more loving and understanding with "the other". Al Ameemi has published many novels and short story collections in the UAE. His novel, One Room is Not Enough, was longlisted for the 2017 International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
When: Thursday, February 4; 4pm-5pm
Where: Al Ras 1, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Amin Maalouf: 'Adrift'
Renowned Samarkand novelist Amin Maalouf will appear at the festival to discuss his newest release, Adrift, which attempts to make sense of a world laboured by political upheavals and economic recessions.
In Adrift, the Lebanese-French author uses his personal experiences to map out some turning points in regional geopolitics while addressing the global threats that face us as a species.
When: Thursday, February 4; 8pm-8.30pm
Where: Al Ras 3, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Bolu Babalola: 'Love in Colour'
In this session, British writer Bolu Babalola will share the inspiration behind her critically acclaimed book, Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold. The anthology of love stories takes on Western and astern mythology with a fresh approach, highlighting myths from West Africa and beyond.
When: Friday, February 5; 12.30pm-1.30pm
Where: Al Ras 1, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Oyinkan Braithwaite: 'My Sister, the Serial Killer'
In My Sister, the Serial Killer, Nigerian-British novelist Oyinkan Braithwaite humorously blends familial responsibility and love with sibling rivalry. Braithwaite will be discussing her dark-comedy novel in a not-to-be-missed session during the festival's second weekend.
When: Friday, February 5; 5.30pm-6.30pm
Where: Al Ras 1, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Elif Shafak in Conversation
With her ability to tell thoughtful, personal and insightful stories, Turkish-British writer Elif Shafak has become one of contemporary literature’s most formidable figures.
Shafak, who has published 18 books that have been translated into more than 50 languages, will appear virtually at the festival to discuss her writing approach, as well as the importance of bridging the gap between the East and the West.
When: Saturday, February 6; 4pm-5pm
Where: Al Ras 3, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Malala Yousafzai in Conversation
Despite an attempt on her life by the Taliban in 2012, Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has been an unwavering advocate for girls’ rights to education.
Now a fresh graduate from the University of Oxford in politics, philosophy and economics, Yousafzai will appear virtually at the festival to give insights she learnt from her fight against the systematic exclusion of children and girls from education, and the necessity of mustering a revolutionary voice.
When: Saturday, February 6; 5pm-6pm
Where: Al Riwaq 2,InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Immanuel Kim: 'Friend: A Novel from North Korea'
This session offers the rare chance to learn more about the literary culture of North Korea. The talk features North Korean literature specialist Immanuel Kim, who is also the translator of Paek Nam-nyong's novel Friend, which is one of few from the country to reach an international audience, and the only state-sanctioned novel to receive an English translation.
Kim's online session will explore the social contexts that led to the publication of Friend, and give insights into how North Korean authors approach their characters' emotional and psychological lives.
Where: Saturday, February 6; 6.30pm-7.30pm
When: Al Baraha 1, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City
Lemn Sissay: 'My Name is Why'
Lemn Sissay will attend the festival to discuss his riveting and inspiring memoir My Name is Why. Up until he was 17 years old, the English author didn't know what his real name was, having been brought up in a number of foster and care homes against his mother's wishes.
In this session, Sissay will reflect on the response to his memoir, while delving into his writing life and what his experiences have taught him.
When: Saturday, February 13; 3.30pm-4.30pm
Where: Concrete, Alserkal Avenue
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Read more:
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2021: Malala Yousafzai, Amin Maalouf and Elif Shafak among line-up
Elif Shafak’s ‘The Architect’s Apprentice’ chosen by Duchess of Cornwall for new book club
_________________
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
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The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
AIDA%20RETURNS
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20EduPloyment%3Cbr%3EDate%20started%3A%20March%202020%3Cbr%3ECo-Founders%3A%20Mazen%20Omair%20and%20Rana%20Batterjee%3Cbr%3EBase%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Recruitment%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2030%20employees%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20Pre-Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Angel%20investors%20(investment%20amount%20undisclosed)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Results
Final: Iran beat Spain 6-3.
Play-off 3rd: UAE beat Russia 2-1 (in extra time).
Play-off 5th: Japan beat Egypt 7-2.
Play-off 7th: Italy beat Mexico 3-2.
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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ARM%20IPO%20DETAILS
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The specs: 2019 Audi A8
Price From Dh390,000
Engine 3.0L V6 turbo
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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