SHARJAH // Eight Arab writers who took part last year in a writing retreat sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, have released a compilation of their work, launched last night at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
Emerging Arab Voices, Nadwa 1: A Bilingual Reader was released in English and Arabic by Dar Al Saqi Books.
The writers spent 10 days last November at the Sir Ban Yas nature reserve under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan in a workshop - called Nadwa - organised by the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (Ipaf) and the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy.
The publication of the compilation coincides with the second Nadwa writing workshop, which hosted seven authors in the Western Region's Qasr al Serab resort from 18-26 October.
Over the course of both workshops the writers not only laboured on their own projects, but also critiqued the work of their colleagues and receiving guidance from a mentor.
By the end of the workshop each writer produced a novel or a short story of around 3,000 words, all of which were included in the compilation.
The writers were recommended for the workshops by their publishers.
Peter Clark, an Ipaf trustee and Nadwa's coordinator, said the workshop and the resulting publication were vital to identifying the future "giants" of Arabic literature.
"The prize is about more than just one winner; we are interested in the activity of literature in a more general way," Mr Clark said last night in Sharjah.
"Having young writers with already-blossoming reputations coming together at the threshold of their careers is very interesting and fruitful. The result is a remarkable happening in the Arab world, and I think in 10 to 20 years these will be the future giants of Arabic literature."
He also praised the vision of the Emirates Foundation for supporting the project from the beginning.
Nasser al Dhaheri, the only Emirati who attended last year's workshop, said he was at first hesitant about the idea of a writing retreat, because it would take him away from the lights of the city, which he loves and finds inspirational.
He said, however, that during the 10 days he was inspired to complete a story, The Stone of Desire, which is included in the compilation.
Jabbour Douaihy, who served as a mentor at both workshops, said it would be impossible not to be impacted by such an experience and that every writer helped create a "surprising and astonishing ambience" during the sessions.
Mariam al Saedi, an Emirati who took part in the workshop this year, said she had moved from seeing writing as a hobby to taking it as a serious career.
Another participant, Wajdi al Ahdal, said novels in Arabic are often not focused on suspense or passion, but that the workshop dealt with these elements specifically. Al Ahdal, who is a novelist from Yemen and part of the Beirut 39, a group of Arab writers under the age of 39, said the experience was integral to the development of his latest novel, which is set in Yemen and deals with the rape of a young girl.
He added he hopes to eventually be short listed for the Ipaf.
"Thanks to the Nadwa, I now believe it is possible," he said.
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Director: Tim Miller
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Rating: 3/5
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A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
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