It’s been six months since Ranya Doleh took over as director of Dubai International Writers’ Centre, which was established in November 2014 to support aspiring writers, organise inspirational literary events and celebrate the written word in all its forms.
Located in two traditional courtyard homes in Dubai’s historical Al Shindagha neighbourhood, the centre was created by the Emirates Literature Foundation and hosts a year-round programme of literary events, seven days a week.
Leading the centre is a “dream job” for Doleh. The Emirati – who has a master’s degree in Shakespearean literature – is relishing the challenge of taking the home-grown organisation and building the audience for it. “You have this very successful literature festival that takes place once a year, but what happens for the rest of the year?” asks Doleh.
“To keep that momentum going, this centre is a hub, a real centre for the community that is supportive of literature and literacy everywhere – which couldn’t be a greater passion for me.”
The centre offers a haven of support for local writers, who have access to its wide network of support.
“Let’s say someone has completed a draft of a novel or short story,” explains Doleh.
“We have access to someone who can edit it, someone who can review it, someone who can advise on how to take it a step further through a mentorship programme. “This is the place to ask, ‘What has to be done next?’ We don’t publish and distribute but we know what are the steps you are required to take and who to reach out to – we are a great resource of information and guidance.”
From organising book clubs, workshops, masterclasses, book launches, school support and events with visiting international writers to simply offering a place to read and write, the centre is all about words.
“Not just the written word,” says Doleh.
“Whether it’s performing or screenplays or poetry or acting, whether you are a writer or a lyricist or a teacher or a parent eager to form a habit of reading in your children and want to learn just how to do that – we deal with all of that. Where do you pick up the pen and how do you start? We’re here to help answer that.”
The centre’s focus, says Doleh, is simple: “In our heart, we want people to fall in love with words.
“You need words for every-thing. Even if you’ve done an abstract painting, at the very least it has a title.
“We are the one medium that actually transcends everything, because you pretty much have to attach a word to everything. You might as well love the words you choose.”
• For more information, visit www.diwc.ae
artslife@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
BLACKBERRY
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RACECARD
6pm Emaar Dubai Sprint – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35pm Graduate Stakes – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm Al Khail Trophy – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 2,810m
7.45pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 2,000m
8.55pm Downtown Dubai Cup – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 1,400m
9.30pm Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,600m
10.05pm Dubai Sprint – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
The rules on fostering in the UAE
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
The years Ramadan fell in May
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
