Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature off to a flying start

10 June 2008, Dubai: Organisers of The Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) said today that textbook planning was well underway and dozens of international authors have already confirmed their attendance at the event to be held in Dubai next year.

News of the EAIFL, the first ever festival of its kind in the Middle East, came at the London Book Fair in April. Since then, the response has been overwhelming. 26 renowned authors have given their full support for the gathering, which follows His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai’s vision of eradicating illiteracy in the Arab world.

Among those who will be flown to Dubai, courtesy of title sponsor Emirates, are English adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Paulo Coehlo, Louis de Bernieres, Rageh Omaar, Penny Vincenzi, Second Children’s Laureate Anne Fine, Margaret Atwood, Jung Chang, Mark Tully, renowned children’s authors Jeremy Strong and Lauren Child. The EAIFL will run over four days at Dubai Festival City from 26^th February 2009.

Speaking today, at a press conference to officially announce the festival to the media in Dubai, Isobel Abulhoul, Director of EAIFL and bookshop chain Magrudy’s said: “The opportunity to be a part of the Middle East’s first international literary event has been a huge draw for writers of all genres. The festival is certainly on track to play a key role in the UAE’s burgeoning cultural scene.” 
Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “While Emirates may be better known for its major sponsorship of sports, we are also an established supporter of the arts and culture, both locally and internationally - most recently with the UK’s Hay Festival. So rather than turning over a new leaf, the EAIFL sponsorship is more a case of venturing deeper into the literary world. As a multi-award winning airline, we value creativity and innovation and recognise this in masters of the written word.”

Two renowned authors from the Western and Arab worlds attended today’s media event to support the new cultural initiative. Kate Adie, OBE, the renowned BBC war correspondent and author of bestselling autobiography ‘The Kindness of Strangers’ and Khaled Alkhamissi the Arab writer famed for his novel ‘Taxi’.

“EAIFL will reflect the rich literary heritage from all nationalities that make up the UAE’s population. As literacy is one of the most fundamental building blocks in the development of any society, EAIFL will highlight not only the educational importance, but also how entertaining literature in all its forms can be,” he said.

According to the Arab League Educational Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Alesco) 100 million people across the Arab world are unable to read or write. The UAE has pledged to eradicate illiteracy completely by 2015.

The festival will conclude with ‘Education Day’. This will be the first literary festival globally to dedicate a day to promoting the development of literary understanding through interactive workshops, readings and seminars.

Dr. Salah Al Qasim, Advisor to Dubai Culture and Arts Authority stated: “This festival will form an integral part of the ongoing development of the UAE’s cultural offerings. In line with the UAE’s vision to achieve a 100 percent literacy rate by 2015, EAIFL and its partners will help to spearhead the development of this important cause with its annual events.”

Photo caption (From Left to right): Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director & Director of Magrudy’s Enterprises, Kate Adie OBE, Khaled Alkhamissi, Mike Simon, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications of Emirates & Dr. Salah Al Qassim,Advisor to Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Photographs from the event - (click to view larger version)

A New Chapter for Emirates as it brings International Festival of Literature to Dubai

Paulo Coelho, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Anne Fine among participants

London 15th April 2008: Some of the world’s most creative literary talent will write a new chapter in the inspirational story of Dubai when the city hosts the inaugural Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL), announced at the London Book Fair today.

Authors confirmed to speak at the festival include Paulo Coelho, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Anne Fine, Jeremy Strong and Lauren Child. Other participating authors will be household names in genres such as fiction, children’s, lifestyle and sport.

The inaugural festival will take place in Dubai between 26th February and 1st March 2009; the first event of its kind on this scale to be held in the Middle East. EAIFL will be an annual event, bringing together people of all nationalities and cultures to celebrate literature and reading in all its forms.

EAIFL is directed by Isobel Abulhoul, Director of Magrudy’s, the region’s leading chain of bookshops, and Bill Samuel, Vice Chairman of London’s bookshop, Foyles.

Isobel Abulhoul said: “This festival is the first of its kind in the Middle East to provide a showcase for authors from the region, as well as bringing internationally bestselling writers to a new audience.”

Headline Sponsor Emirates Airline has recognised the benefits of attracting a literary audience to Dubai by adding an important, exciting cultural event to Dubai’s burgeoning arts calendar.

Mike Simon, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, said: "One of the roles of the airline, from its start-up, has been to promote Dubai as a tourist and commercial destination; we believe the EAIFL will help strengthen the literary scene in Dubai, as well as attracting visitors to attend the festival."

A key part of the festival will be Education Day. Some of the authors attending the Festival are expected to give lectures or talks to students at universities, colleges and schools in Dubai.

Dubai Cultural Council is also supporting the Festival and will help attract leading authors, poets and translators from the Arab World.

Photographs of the EAIFL Launch - (click to view larger version)

Dubai to host first Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature

26^th March 2008 - Dubai will host the inaugural Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) between 26th February and 1st March 2009. This is the first event of its kind on this scale in the Middle East. EAIFL will be an annual event, bringing together people of all nationalities to celebrate literature and reading in all its forms.

The festival will be launched on Tuesday 15^th April at London Book Fair 2008, which this year features the Arab World as its focus. EAIFL is directed by Isobel Abulhoul, director of Magrudy’s, the region’s leading chain of bookshops, and Bill Samuel, vice chairman of Foyles.

Isobel Abulhoul said “This festival is the first of its kind in the Middle East to provide a showcase for authors from the region, as well as bringing internationally bestselling writers to a new audience.”

Headline sponsor Emirates Airline has recognised the benefits of attracting a literary audience to Dubai by adding an important exciting and cultural event to Dubai’s burgeoning calendar.

Participating authors will be household names in such genres as fiction, children’s, lifestyle and sport.

Dubai Cultural Council is also keen to support the Festival and will help attract leading authors, poets and translators from the Arab World.