More than 200 events, ranging from book launches and author discussions to creative workshops, will take place during the 15th Al Ain Book Festival. Running until Saturday, the annual event is an important part of the UAE literary landscape.
The festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, is being held in Al Ain Square at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. This year's theme is All Eyes on Al Ain.
The event will feature poetry readings, theatre productions and cultural seminars by Emirati authors and organisations, with more than 200 exhibitors in attendance and 100,000 books showcased.
“The festival promotes Al Ain’s position as a cultural and intellectual hub, highlighting its deep connections to culture, books and education while being home to some of the UAE’s oldest and most prominent universities,” said ALC chairman Ali bin Tamim. Here are five key sessions to check out at the book fair:
No Impossible: A Conversation with Israa Al Ameri
Wednesday, November 20, 7:30pm
The Emirati poet will share her experiences overcoming a series of health conditions through willpower and wisdom gleaned from her favourite Arabic poets. Adding to the atmosphere are a series of short musical interludes featuring Arabic folk music.
Book Launch: The Humdrums of Culture
Thursday, November 21, 6pm
A member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family will appear at the Al Ain Book Fair to formally launch her latest book. Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, an ambassador for culture for the Arab League's Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation, will discuss themes behind her new work, The Humdrums of Culture. The book offers her reflections on Arabic and Western philosophy and draws on Arabic heritage and culture to propose ways to navigate the tensions of everyday life.
Among the Flowers and Bees: The Adventure of the Youngest Beekeeper in the UAE
Friday, November 22, 6pm
Touted by organisers as the youngest Emirati beekeeper, Mahra Al Naqbi has been creating quite a buzz. Trained by the UAE's Beekeepers Association, the 12-year-old is one of the winners of the 2024 Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award for her efforts in promoting a craft essential to UAE heritage and the surrounding environment.
Raising Awareness About Health Rumours
Friday, November 22, 7:30pm
In the era of social media, separating fact from fiction is crucial in discussions about health and treatments. Dr Mohamed Ahmed El Maghawri Shanab, an Internal Medicine Specialist from Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Hospital, will provide examples of credible sources to combat the rising tide of online misinformation surrounding health diagnoses and treatments.
The Realm of Melody
Friday, November 22, 8:30pm
The festival will host stirring concert by The Arab Choir. The Abu Dhabi ensemble will perform songs inspired by the poetry of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, alongside a selection of popular classical Arabic songs.
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Leaderboard
64 - Gavin Green (MAL), Graeme McDowell (NIR)
65 - Henrik Stenson (SWE), Sebastian Soderberg (SWE), Adri Arnaus (ESP), Victor Perez (FRA), Jhonattan Vegas (VEN)
66 - Phil Mickelson (USA), Tom Lewis (ENG), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Ross Fisher (ENG), Aaron Rai (ENG), Ryan Fox (NZL)
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68 - Alexander Bjork (SWE), Matthieu Pavon (FRA), Adrian Meronk (POL), David Howell (ENG), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR), Sean Crocker (USA), Scott Hend (AUS), Justin Harding (RSA), Jazz Janewattananond (THA), Shubhankar Sharma (IND), Renato Paratore (ITA)
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Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
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Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
