A central tenet of the broad Cultural Programme at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is encouraging young talent. And to this end, the book fair welcomes Daad for the third time.
The initiative, supported by TCA Abu Dhabi, aims to showcase young and as yet undiscovered Arab writers by offering them a platform for their work.
This year, three promising writers have been selected: Abdullah Al Suweidi (UAE), Dihiya Louiz (Algeria) and Haifa Al Eed (Saudi Arabia).
Louiz has published two novels and is unafraid of tackling difficult social issues, such as incest and forced marriage. “I live in a male-dominated society where women are mistreated and deprived of their rights,” says the 29-year-old doctoral student at Abderrahmane University in Algeria. Her hope is that discussing such taboos is the first step towards social change.
Passionate about writing, Louiz says Arabic literature plays a vital role in her life. “Constantly reading has given me so much peace and tranquillity. Reading is my haven in the middle of this imbalance in my land.”
The poet Al Eed from Saudi Arabia is also in love with her native language. “Arabic is a very rich language. Writers should use the language in a way to fit the modern life,” the 29-year-old, who enjoys experimenting with language, says.
Al Eed and Louiz will be joined by the Emirati author Abdullah Al Saadi at the fair.
• Join Daad – Three Promising Writers from the Arab World at the Majlis Al Mutanabbi on Thursday at 6pm
aalhameli@thenational.ae
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