As Roman philosopher Cicero once famously said, a room without books is like a body without a soul.
And if you've ever wanted to know what reads decorate the rooms of some of the UAE's most renowned names, now's your chance.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, and Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, will reveal their literary influences in the final session of Literary Conversations Across Borders.
The virtual series, organised by the Office of Culture and Public Diplomacy and the Emirates Literature Foundation, started in May with the aim of promoting "international cultural understanding" through the power of books and words.
Previous sessions featured the likes of Indian politician and writer Shashi Tharoor; English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall; and UAE Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh taking part in live panels.
In the final session of the eight-part programme, titled The Power of Books, Al Kaabi and Ghobash will open up about the books that have helped shape their lives.
They will be joined in the free webinar by Isobel Abulhoul, chief executive and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation.
The session will be live-streamed on Saturday, at 7.30pm UAE time. The Zoom panel will be held in English, with a simultaneous Arabic translation.
The first seven sessions of Literary Conversations Across Borders have reached more than 8,000 people in 63 countries, with all panels available to view on the Emirates Literature Foundation YouTube channel.
“The reach of this project has been impressive, with a far greater impact than we had originally anticipated," said Nusseibeh.
“Discussions have ranged from the pandemic’s effect on our future, in terms of world politics, sustainability and food security, to lively discussions on religion versus science and the changing face of journalism."
To register to watch the final session live, visit www.elfdubai.org/en/literary-conversations-across-borders
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Sweet%20Tooth
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The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360 x 1640, 264ppi, wide colour, True Tone, Apple Pencil support
Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR
Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps
Audio: Stereo speakers
Biometrics: Touch ID
I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)
Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular
Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue
Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
