Syrian poet Adonis will reflect on the role of Arabic literature in a session organised by the Emirates Writers Union. Satish Kumar / The National
Syrian poet Adonis will reflect on the role of Arabic literature in a session organised by the Emirates Writers Union. Satish Kumar / The National
Syrian poet Adonis will reflect on the role of Arabic literature in a session organised by the Emirates Writers Union. Satish Kumar / The National
Syrian poet Adonis will reflect on the role of Arabic literature in a session organised by the Emirates Writers Union. Satish Kumar / The National

Emirates Writers Union line-up: Syrian poet Adonis and Emirati filmmaker Nasser Al Dhaheri to take part in literary discussions


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Celebrated Syrian poet Adonis will feature among next month's line-up of literary discussions organised by the Emirates Writers Union.

The Abu Dhabi chapter of the organisation will host a programme of events that will take place both online and physically throughout January.

In-person sessions and times for virtual events will be confirmed on the organisation’s Twitter and Facebook channels closer to the date.

The programme begins on Monday, January 4 with a Zoom discussion on the evolution of Saudi Arabia's arts and culture scene with authors Mohamed Al Mozaini and Nadia Khawandanah.

Wednesday, January 6 will herald the Arabic book launch of Mariam Juma Faraj: The Icon of Emirati Culture. A collection of authors, including Emirati and Palestinian poets Samr Al Bakr and Sameh Kaawach, will discuss the tribute to the pioneering short story writer.

The anticipated session by Adonis will take place on Monday, January 11, with the poet's wide-ranging address set to explore the role of literature in the region and how Arabic poetry can continue to resonate in modern society.

An open house for Abu Dhabi writers and poets to showcase their works will be held on Wednesday, January 13, while Emirati filmmaker Nasser Al Dhaheri will appear on Monday, January 18 to reflect on his career and his 2015 award-winning documentary A Tale of Water, Palm Trees and Family.

On Wednesday, January 20, prolific Emirati poet and translator Shihab Ghanem will discuss his five-decade career, in which saw he has published more than 60 books and translated more than 20 volumes of Arabic poetry into English.

The series ends with Bahraini critic Fahd Hussein, who will examine challenges facing the Gulf novel on Monday, January 25.

For details, follow the Emirates Writers Union on Twitter and Facebook.

T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures

Tuesday, October 29

Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE

Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman

Wednesday, October 30

Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one

Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two

Thursday, October 31

Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four

Friday, November 1

Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one

Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two

Saturday, November 2

Third-place playoff, 2.10pm

Final, 7.30pm

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins

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The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

 

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

Basquiat in Abu Dhabi

One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier. 

It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.  

“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October

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Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell

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1. Fasting

2. Prayer

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