March 7, 2010, Dubai, UAE: The organisers of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature have promised visitors a ‘broader, richer and more interactive’ experience at this year’s event. New features include a musical strand featuring several of the Festival authors, a live cookery demonstration with celebrity chef Anjum Anand as well as workshops for both children and adults in creative writing, drama and illustration including an expanded Education Day with leading authors visiting various branches of the Dubai Public Libraries on March 11. All eight branches of the Dubai Public Libraries have been transferred and are now managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

Lucky visitors to the Festival will also have the opportunity to pick up Yann Martel’s new novel ‘Beatrice and Virgil’ one month before it goes on general release. The Festival is held under the patronage of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Emirate’s dedicated authority for culture, the arts and heritage.

"There’s going to be a real festival ‘buzz’ throughout the four days of the event," said Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director.

"A typical day for a visitor could involve a discussion with a world famous author, attendance at a creative writing or translation workshop finishing up with a concert or an impromptu storytelling session.

"Meanwhile your children could sing along with an author, design a puppet and learn the secrets of illustration from a top international children’s book illustrator. We will also have the first performance of our specially commissioned festival ‘anthem’ which, I’m sure, will be a highlight for many."
With more than 100 authors signed up for this year’s Festival and over 80 sessions in the main author programme there will be many highlights. There will be several works unveiled throughout the four-day event, including ‘Looking Back with Love’, an anthology of 19th century poetry compiled by UAE-based author Khalid al-Budoor. Acclaimed Iraqi poet Fadhil al Azzawi has translated the poems into English. Both Khalid and Fadhil will read from the collection accompanied by specially commissioned harp music composed by Dubai-based musician Joanna Marsh. Abdo Khal, the Saudi Arabian novelist who was awarded The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) 2010 less than a week ago, will be speaking at two sessions at the Festival.

Amit Chaudhuri, together with four Dubai-based musicians, will bring his celebrated ‘This is Not Fusion’ musical performance to the Middle East for the first time. The concert pulls together the major threads of 20th century western popular music – jazz, blues, techno, rock and disco – with Indian classical music in an original and eclectic way.

Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications - Emirates Airline, the title sponsors - also finds the programme stimulating. He said: "We are delighted to be involved with a festival which reflects the rich diversity of the many different communities which are proud to call Dubai home, while it is clear the event has also captured the imagination of the international literary community. Emirates is committed to the development of Dubai and we are excited by the growth of a festival which will further enhance the UAE’s burgeoning reputation as a centre for cultural events."

At this year’s Education Day on March 11, more than 3,000 students from around the UAE will attend a series of author sessions held at the Scientific and Cultural Association in Mamzar. Leading children’s authors including Jacqueline Wilson, performance poet Roger McGough and Lebanese author Nadine Touma will entertain and engage students throughout a packed morning programme which due to popular demand will be spread across additional venues in libraries, kindergartens and schools.

As part of the Education Day activities, Nadine Touma will visit the Dubai Public Library at Al Safa; Fatima Sharaffedine will tour the Al Twar library and emerging Emirati writers will meet at the Al Rashidiya library. Magrudy’s will showcase books for sale at the libraries for a book-signing ceremony attended by the authors, who will share their experiences in writing. The libraries will also host story-telling sessions.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said the patronage of the Authority to the event highlights the focus of Dubai to promote stronger dialogue between writers and the public and thus promoting an understanding and appreciation of literary culture, “The Education Day initiative that brings authors face to face with the public, especially children, will help to foster a deeper understanding of the writing process, and inspire young talent to hone their skills. Dubai Culture & Arts Authority is focused on promoting literature as one of the key cornerstones of Dubai’s cultural identity, and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is a perfect platform for this.

DUBAI, U.A.E., 4th March, 2010 - To celebrate World Book Day, Emirates took thousands of travellers on a literary journey by orchestrating a mass book sharing initiative across its global network of more than 100 destinations.

Lucky passengers on board every Emirates flight departing the airline's Dubai hub today were presented a novel as part of the annual drive to encourage the joy of reading and promote literacy.

Cabin crew were integral to the operation, with more than 1000 of them arriving for duty with a stack of books written by authors who are part of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, running from 10th to 13th March.

Starting with the one am flight to Bahrain, they distributed books on more than 150 aircraft, until the last flight to depart Dubai on World Book Day - a Boeing 777 to Bangkok at 11pm.

Cabin crew also had the honour of telling passengers about the Emirates Literary Journey, explaining to readers that they were just taking the book on the first leg of its trip, and that they should pass it on to friend, family member, colleague or even a stranger in a café or metro station.

Instructions are also printed on the inside cover of each book, which includes a table for each reader to fill in the details which will track each stage of the book's ongoing journey, such as their name, and where and when they picked it up and then handed it on.

In addition, each book has an individual serial number and readers are encouraged to log on to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature website - http://www.emirateslitfest.com/literaryjourney - to share their views on the initiative, as well as comments on the novel they read.

Terry Daly - Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Service Delivery - oversaw the complex plan which will see both Arabic and English-language authors reaching new audiences across the world.

He said: "It is incredible to think that our cabin crew today will be spreading the joy of reading to every corner of the globe. Emirates is proud that - through our staff - the World Book Day message of promoting literacy and the joy of reading will be delivered to almost 60 different countries."

More than 20 titles - by leading international authors such as Kate Mosse and R.J Ellory, as well as top regional writers like Bahaa Taher and Maha Gargash - were also distributed at 26 Emirates lounges across the world, while many customers at Costa Coffee shops throughout Dubai also received a copy.

In addition, novels were given to guests at the Emirates Group's eco-friendly conservation-based destinations - Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai and Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia - while there will be some unexpected half-time reading material for lucky football and rugby fans attending forthcoming Arsenal and Emirates Western Force matches.

The celebration of books will continue next week when the 2010 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature - running from Wednesday until Saturday - gets under way at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.

And festival director Isobel Abulhoul is delighted readers across the world are already taking part in the event being held under the patronage of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

She said: "One of our main objectives in setting up the festival has been to encourage as many people as possible to experience the joy of the written word in all its forms. What better way to do this than with a global book drop.

"The thought that people - from Los Angeles to Tokyo to Sydney - will have the opportunity to participate in our festival via Emirates' global reach is truly exciting and inspiring. This is exactly what the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is supposed to be about."

The publishing community has been generous in its support of the initiative and - together with Emirates - donated the collection of titles, many of which are bestsellers or have won awards.

Contact: Scott Melrose, Emirates Corporate Communications. Tel: (+9714) 708 2336, Mob: (+97150) 950 8950. E-mail: scott.melrose@emirates.com; visit: www.theemiratesgroup.com.

Contact: James Mullan, Communication Director, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Tel: (+97150) 455 9047. E-mail: james.mullan@emirateslitfest.com.

22 new sessions have been added to the programme, bringing the total number of events to 75. Tickets for all workshops, readings, and discussions are now on sale from http://tickets.emirateslitfest.com and selected Magrudy’s shops.

Additions to Day 1 of the programme (Wednesday 10th March)

In a session entitled ‘Inspiration’, the trio of Bahaa Taher, Yann Martel and Imtiaz Dharker will reveal how and why they write, and what drives them to do so. Prize-winning Egyptian author Yousef Ziedan will take to the stage for an ‘In Conversation’ event, where he will read from his novel Azazil (Beelzebub) and speak about the book’s tumultuous publication, and the impact of winning the ‘Arabic Booker’. In a talk specially prepared for the Festival, bestselling business author and public speaker Robert Greene will give his perspective on the global economic crisis, weaving in examples from history to his own theories. His talk is entitled, ‘From Napoleon to Google: Strategies for Success in a Brave New World.’

Additions to Day 2 of the programme (Thursday 11th March)

Fans of crime novels take note! Leading writers in the genre, including RJ Ellory, Mark Billingham and Jeffrey Deaver will come together for the first time in the ‘Crime Writers’ Panel’. In ‘You Can’t Slander the Dead’, Francis Wheen and DJ Taylor will analyse the art of biography, discussing their choice of subjects and the challenges and potential pitfalls of tackling political and literary giants such as these. Well known Emirati poet Mohammed Khalifa bin Hadher will delight audiences with an ‘In Conversation’ event and poetry reading. Distinguished historian and winner of numerous international prizes Margaret Macmillan will also take part in a session on Day 2.

Additions to Day 3 of the programme (Friday 12th March)

Day 3 will begin and end with tributes to two of the greatest and most influential Arabic voices. In ‘Remembering Tayeb Salih’, Bahaa Taher, Leila Abouleila and Denys Johnson-Davies will pay tribute to the famous writer. Imtiaz Dharker and Fadhil al-Azzawi will perform select readings of their work in their ‘Readings & Conversation’ event. Later, in a keenly awaited ‘In Conversation’ event, William Dalrymple will talk about his first travel book for more than 10 years. Ghada Karmi and Isabel Fonseca will both take part in solo ‘In Conversation’ events. Join Khaled Al-Budoor, Nujoom Al-Ghanem, Khulood Al-Mu’alla, Ahmed Rashid Thani for ‘An Evening with 4 Emirati Poets’. In a first for the Festival, we will pay tribute to poet Sargon Boulos by previewing a new short film in which he reads and speaks about his work.

Additions to Day 4 of the programme (Saturday 13th March)

Arab literature takes centre stage on the last day of the Festival with two major events: 'Arabs Writing from Afar', featuring Samer Abou Hawwash, Iman Mersal, Amjad Nasser, Sam Shimon and Bahaa Taher, and a discussion on ‘The Arab Novel’ by Turki al-Hamad and Alwiyya Sobh. In ‘Author & Translator’, Yann Martel, Samer Abou Hawwash, Abdo Khal and Anthony Calderbank will explore the relationship between authors and their translators. ‘From Page to Screen: Secrets of Successful Adaptation’ will see leading writers Vikas Swarup, Mark Billingham and Chris Cleave debate what makes for a successful adaptation. Maha Gargash’s ‘In Conversation’ event will discuss how she has broken away from the traditional role of women in the UAE to fulfil her ambitions. Robert Lacey’s second appearance at the Festival will see him take part in a panel discussion on Saudi Arabia today. We are excited to give audiences an exclusive festival preview of an exciting collection of the best new writing from the Arab world, by thirty-nine of its brightest young literary stars in a session entitled ‘Beirut 39: New Writing from the Arab World.’ At the end of day 4, Amit Chaudhuri will join Alexander McCall Smith for a magical ‘Words & Music ‘event which will knit together the two art forms.

• 100 authors
• 50 per cent more sessions
• Arabic interest sessions doubled to 20
• 4 sessions dedicated to Emirati writers and writing
• Children’s programme tripled
• New musical strands, workshops and cookery demonstrations

1 February 2010, Dubai, UAE: A packed 2010 Festival programme, bursting with author sessions, workshops and entertainment for adults, children and teens was unveiled today by organisers of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.  Tickets for this not-to-be-missed event, go on sale today! Taking place from March 10th-13th at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature offers a unique opportunity to meet more than 100 celebrated authors from around the world.  The Festival is held under the patronage of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority(Dubai Culture).

Tickets for the fun-packed Festival are priced from AED 39 and can be purchased from selected Magrudy’s outlets in the UAE or from the Festival’s official website- www.emirateslitfest.com. As a community event, many of the Festival attractions will be free, including the Fringe Festival, the Fringe Parade and a Time Out Kids Zone.
Commenting on the enthusiastic response to the 2010 Festival, Festival Director Isobel Abulhoul, said: “We’ve built on the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the inaugural Festival from the community, with more authors, an expanded programme and a greater range of activities.  The Festival’s line-up includes something for everyone - stimulating workshops, readings, entertainment, chill-out zones, a children’s activity area and a free Fringe Festival showcasing local talent. The Festival will bring together thousands of people from across the UAE and throughout the region who enjoy discussion, debating ideas or simply having a great day out.”

The 2010 programme will be launched in two phases.  Today’s phase includes the full children’s programme plus selected highlights from the main programme for adults.  Tickets for all workshops are also now available for purchase from today.

Phase 1 – Main Programme Selected Highlights

Day 1 (Wednesday 10th March)
The 2010 Festival will open with a session on ‘Emerging Emirati Writers’ followed by the launch of Khaled Al Budoor’s collection of historic Emirati, poetry going back to the 1800’s, entitled Looking Back with Love.  Other highlights for day will include the appearance of two International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) winners, Youssef Ziedan and Bahaa Taher.  Day one will culminate with an eagerly anticipated session with Martin Amis who will be discussing his latest novel The Pregnant Widow.

Day 2 (Thursday 11th March)
The second day of the Festival will see Alexander McCall Smith (No 1 Ladies Detective Agency), author and jet-setting commentator Shobbha De, and renowned BBC broadcaster John Simpson take part in author sessions on a range of fascinating topics.  Another highlight of Day two will be a session of Arabic poetry, which will see some of the most progressive and influential contemporary Arab poets (Amjad Nasser, Iman Mersal and Samer Abou Hawwash), taking the stage together.

Day 3 (Friday 12th March)
A stellar line-up will entertain Festival-goers on Day three.  BBC broadcaster, Kate Adie, will delight audiences with anecdotes from her long and varied career.  Fiction writers Chris Cleave, (The Other Hand), Vikas Swarup, (Slumdog Millionaire), Yann Martel (Life of Pi) and leading graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi, (Persepolis), will provide insights into their craft in a series of one-to-one conversations.  With humour and insight, Imran Ahmad will discuss the personal challenges of getting published in a post 9-11 world.  BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardiner will appearing via video link from London to discuss his new book Far Horizons.  Indian novelist Amit Chaudhuri and local musicians will bring the evening to a close with a musical finale.

Day 4 (Saturday 13th March)
The momentum builds on Day four of the Festival with an ‘in conversation’ event with Wilfred Thesiger’s biographer, Alexander Maitland.  Adding more flavour to the Festival will be a cookery demonstration of healthy Indian food by Anjum Anand, the new face of Indian cuisine. Wizards, warriors and agent legends will be the topic of Joe Abercrombie’s ‘in conversation’.  For travel writing fans, Tim Butcher will describe his adventures in Africa which were the inspiration for the bestselling Blood River and his new novel Chasing the Devil.  In their session, Nadia Fouda and Andy Smart will discuss the challenges of translating The Gruffalo from English into Arabic.

Programme for Children
Following feedback from the 2009 Festival, the Festival organisers have tripled the size of the 2010 children’s programme.  All 17 sessions will run on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th March.  Three mega-star writers - Jacqueline Wilson, Darren Shan and Garth Nix will wow older children.  Roger McGough will delight younger children and their parents with his own brand of performance poetry.  New for 2010 will be three children’s storytelling events in Arabic by Nadine Touma, Taghreed Najjar and Fatima Sharafeddine.  There will also be a wonderful line-up of authors for pre-school and primary aged children including Polly Dunbar, Conn Iggulden, Oliver Jeffers, Julia Johnson, Caroline Lawrence, Michelle Paver, Tony Ross and Ian Whybrow. Gervase Phinn’s solo performance will delight adults and older children. Tickets for all children’s sessions are now available
Once again, simultaneous translation will be available for all author sessions.

New for 2010 – Workshops Programme
For the first time, the Festival will host a range of workshops for adults and children.   Experts from around the world will provide master classes for adults in creative writing, drama and translation (Arabic to English).  Children will be able to take part in creative writing, drama and illustration workshops.  Tickets for all workshops are now available.

Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group commented: “Based on the excellent response to the 2009 Festival, we are delighted to extend our enthusiastic support to the Festival this year. This is now a landmark event on Dubai’s cultural calendar for families, residents and expatriates from different cultures. It is a true celebration of the joy of reading books that gives us a glimpse into worlds other than our own.”
The free Fringe Festival, a key attraction of the four-day event, will take place on-site and is designed to act as a platform for Dubai’s young writers and performers to showcase their talent. Readings, singing and drama performances will make the Fringe Festival a memorable experience.  Speaking of the wonderful events lined up for the 2010 Festival, Saeed Al Naboudah, Chief Projects Officer, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said; “The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature involves the entire community and is an opportunity to understand the minds behind many of the books we have enjoyed reading and an occasion to celebrate the uniting spirit of literature. The event also encourages young aspiring writers and performers to showcase their talent and receive feedback on their skills from established authors and artists We need to talk about our mandate to establish Dubai as a “reading city” through the promotion of the public libraries & the role of the Authority in creating an environment in which culture & arts thrives and is accessible to all.”

Following last year’s success, the Festival will once again feature Education Day events, giving an opportunity for students from various institutions in the UAE to interact with Festival authors. The Education Days will be held at the Dubai Scientific and Cultural Association, Al Mamzar and in Dubai Public Library on March 10^th and 11^th.

For further information, please contact us.

A ‘Literary Majlis’, held this evening in the evocative surroundings of the Bastakiya district of Dubai, offered a glimpse of ‘the riches to come’ at next year’s event, according to organisers of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. The Festival will be held under the patronage of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Emirate’s dedicated authority for art, culture, and heritage, from 10th to 13th March 2010.

Festival Director Isobel Abulhoul also launched a new membership programme called ‘Friends of the Festival’, revealed the names of the latest star authors to sign up for 2010 and unveiled the new branding for the Festival.

The ‘Literary Majlis’ featured readings by several celebrated international and UAE-based authors including the winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (‘Arabic Booker’) Professor Youssef Ziedan,  who flew in specially for the event, Abu Dhabi based Leila Aboulela as well as Dubai-based authors Maha Gargash, Nujoom Al Ghanem and children’s author Julia Johnson.

The evening’s entertainment was hosted jointly by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) and the Festival organisers at ‘House 69’ in Bastakiya, a converted former residence located at the heart of Dubai’s heritage district set by the banks of the Creek.   Guests were greeted on arrival by Emirati Yola dancers and musicians and the venue was dressed in traditional majlis style.

“With less than five months to go to next year’s Festival, the sense of anticipation and excitement is growing among the many sections of Dubai’s diverse community which provided such fantastic support for our inaugural event,” said Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. 

“Hosted at a beautiful venue in a relaxed, informal environment the ‘Literary Majlis’ has provided a wonderful appetiser for the riches that are to follow next March.”

At this evening’s event organisers launched ‘Friends of the Festival’, an initiative intended to encourage the book-loving community throughout the region and beyond to become more closely involved in the Festival.   Becoming a ‘Friend’ entitles members to a host of benefits including discounts on tickets, priority booking, exclusive members-only events and offers, a dedicated box office and access to a designated relaxation area at the Festival.  Yearly membership is priced at 120dhs for individuals, 180dhs for couples and 240dhs for families. Further details are available at www.emirateslitfest.com/friends.

“It is remarkable what an enormous impact the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature has had in its inaugural year,” said Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group,  “The challenge facing all of us involved in the Festival is to build on that initial success. The excellent response from the literary community throughout the globe to next year’s festival along with the launch of new initiatives, such as ‘Friends of the Festival’, suggest that next year’s Festival will be a ‘must see’ on the region’s cultural calendar.”

Saeed Al Naboudah, Chief Projects Officer, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said “The Literary Majlis is a perfect blend of two powerful cultural indicators of the Arab world – the tradition of story-telling and the solidarity highlighted at a Majlis.  Khor Dubai has been the lifeline of Dubai’s cultural and social evolution, and a Literary Majlis, held on the shores of the Khor, offered the perfect opportunity to further engage authors and readers in an informal environment.  The Majlis has sent the stage for the rich debate and interaction that can be expected at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.”

Latest Author Line-up Revealed

Organisers also provided an update on how many authors have signed up to date for the Festival.  More than 70 international and regional authors have now confirmed their participation in the Middle East’s largest annual literary festival. Among the new names joining the stellar lineup of talent are Amit Chaudhuri, Shobhaa De, Turki al-Hamad, Abdo Khal,  Yann Martel, Khulood al-Mu’alla, Alawiyya Sobh and Jacqueline Wilson.

Other leading names who have previously confirmed their attendance are Martin Amis, Alexander McCall Smith, William Dalrymple, Bahaa Taher, Darren Shan, Ahdaf Souief, Fadhil al-Azzawi and Francis Wheen.

New Branding

The ‘Literary Majlis’ also saw the unveiling of the Festival’s new branding based around the idea of a bookmark. 

“We were looking for a design that represents the essence of the Festival, namely celebration of the written word in all its forms, in a contemporary manner that acknowledges our Middle East origin as well as our international reach,” said Isobel Abulhoul.

Proof that the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) has quickly established itself as a leading international literary event is underlined by the news that a further 17 top authors and poets have signed up for next year’s festival. They join a list of 33 authors from across all major genres who were announced as participants in June.

The 17 authors and poets who have just signed up are fantasy writer Joe Abercrombie, Ghanaian playwright, poet and author John Agard, British poet Simon Armitage, leading UAE poet Khalid al-Budoor, Indian author and singer Amit Chaudhuri, British poet, Gillian Clarke, India’s so-called ‘Jackie Collins’ Shobha De, leading U.S author Jeffery Deaver (‘The Bone Collector’), poet Imtiaz Dharker, recently appointed UK poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, British authors RJ Ellory and Rachel Hore, Dubai-based children’s author Julia Johnson, Palestinian author Dr Ghada Karmi, children’s authors Taghreed Najjar and Fatima Sharafeddine as well as leading UK author and journalist Francis Wheen.

The first collection of central characters in the eagerly anticipated sequel to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (EAIFL) was announced today. Thirty three international authors have already confirmed their participation in the Middle East’s largest annual literary festival, guaranteeing EAIFL 2010 will be another captivating bestseller.  The Festival will be held under the patronage of the HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, from 10th to 13th March 2010. 

‘’The setting is stunning, with an inspired plot and thirty three remarkable characters already on the scene - EAIFL 2010 promises to be a literary masterpiece.  EAIFL will provide an unmissable weekend of debates, storytelling and poetry reading so make sure you mark 10th – 13th March 2010 on your calendars today,’’ said Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director.  ‘’We’ve incorporated a lot of feedback from attendees of EAIFL 2009 and we are bringing together a diverse and balanced line-up of authors that represent the interests of the different communities living in Dubai.’’ 

Some of the leading lights of international fiction have already signed up to participate in the 2010 Festival, including Martin Amis, Mark Billingham, Tim Butcher, Chris Cleave, Isabel Fonseca, James Meek and Alexander McCall Smith.   Non-fiction stars include cookery writer and broadcaster Anjum Anand, historian William Dalrymple, best-selling author of ‘33 Strategies of War’, Robert Greene, historian Robert Lacey, one of the leading experts on history and international relations, Margaret MacMillan and biographer DJ Taylor.

Arabic literature will be represented by some of the foremost contemporary Arabic authors including Sudanese writer Leila Abouleila, celebrated Libyan poet Khaled Mattawa, distinguished author Ahdaf Souief, Palestinian writer and winner of the 2008 Orwell prize, Raja Shehadeh, Arabic Booker prize-winning author, Bahaa Taher and Winner of the 2009 Arabic Booker prize, Professor Youssef Ziedan.

In response to demand from visitors to EAIFL 2009, the 2010 programme will showcase even more children’s authors and writers for young adults. The line-up of children’s authors will include Caroline Lawrence, best known for ‘’The Roman Mysteries’’ series of historical novels for children and Michelle Paver, author of the very popular ‘’Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’’ series. Young children will be delighted to hear that the Sunday Times bestselling children’s author Gervase Phinn as well as Ian Whybrow, author of ‘’Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs’’ series will be in attendance. 

EAIFL 2010 has secured some of biggest names in the young adults genre including the best-selling author Conn Iggulden and Darren Shan, author of the vampire series ‘’Saga’’ and  the demon series "The Demonata’’.  Adult fiction writer Mark Billingham also writes novels for young adults under the pseudonym of Will Peterson and he will be on hand to talk about his popular trilogy of paranormal thrillers for older children. 

Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group, said: "Continuing on the tremendous success of last year's inaugural festival, Emirates is proud to continue its sponsorship of this pioneering event. Emirates is a dedicated supporter of the arts and culture, both locally and internationally. Through EAIFL, we work to continue to support literature and the growth of this creative industry. As a multi-award winning airline, we value creativity and innovation and recognise this in masters of the written word." 

A number of popular authors from EAIFL 2009 will be returning to Dubai for EAIFL 2010. On the English language side these include author and broadcaster Kate Adie, author and translator Denys Johnson Davies and biographer Alexander Maitland.  Returning Arabic authors include Iraqi poet Fadhil al-Azzawi, Emirati poet and film-director Nujoom al Ghanem, Emirati writer Mohamed Al Murr and Iraqi author Samuel Shimon.

There will be an increased emphasis on education and learning at EAIFL 2010. Last year’s creative writing workshops will be back by popular demand alongside new subject areas such as drama and translation.

Organisers of the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) today called upon students across the UAE to put pen to paper over the summer holidays for the 2010 Students’ Writing Competition.  The theme of this year’s competition is ‘The Adventure’.

 ‘’The Students’ Writing Competition is a very important part of EAIFL.  One of the Festival’s key aims is to encourage people living in the UAE to pick up a pen or sit down at a computer and start writing for pleasure, said Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director.  ‘‘I can’t think of a better way to help realise this goal than a competition that encourages thousands of students across the UAE to write a short story and share it with others.’’

The 2010 Students’ Writing Competition will have four age categories; ‘ages 11 and under’, ‘ages 12 to 14’, ‘ages 15 to 18’ and a new age category for undergraduates in full-time education over 18 years of age.  The maximum word count for children in the category ‘ages 11 and under’ will be 500 words.  The maximum word count for children in the category ‘ages 12 to 14’ will be 1000 words.   Students in the category ‘ages 15 to 18’ and undergraduates in full-time education over 18 years of age, will have a maximum word count of 1500 words. 

Students are invited to submit their stories in either Arabic or English  before the closing date which is 5th November 2009.

All the winning entries will be published by Jerboa Books in a dual language book of short stories entitled ‘The Adventure’.   Each winner will receive a copy of the book signed by one or more of the famous writers who will be appearing at EAIFL 2010 and a selection of books.  The winners will also be invited to an official ceremony at EAIFL 2010 where their co-authored book will be launched.

‘‘Last year’s competition had an excellent response from budding writers from all over the UAE, and this year we are hoping to be overwhelmed!’’,  said Jane Hodges, Publications Coordinator at Jerboa Books. 

The 2009 Children’s Writing Competition saw 22 winners selected from several thousand entries.  The winners received their prizes from the bestselling author Anthony Horowitz. The winning short stories were published into an anthology entitled The Sea.  In a short space of time nearly 800 copies of The Sea have already been sold and a second print run has been commissioned to meet demand for this unique book.

Click here to find out where to send entries and terms and conditions for the EAIFL 2010 Student’s Writing Competition.