Participants in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature praise its role in supporting creative people

Dubai, January 23 / WAM / The activities of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will continue until January 27, as part of the largest edition in its history, as it presents a diverse cultural and cognitive program that enhances dialogue between cultures and supports the presence of Arabic literature on the global scene with the participation of a wide selection of writers and creators from inside and outside the country.

Writer and poet Alloush Al-Suwait, participant and interlocutor at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, confirmed that the opening ceremony of the festival embodied a unique state of cultural harmony between Arab and international music, along with Arab and international poems in a scene that reflects the international character of the festival and its cultural status.

Al Suwait said in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the participation of an elite group of female poets who presented examples of ancient traditional poetry was an influential event, noting that the vocabulary used carried an emotional depth that reflected the authenticity of Arabic poetry and its established cultural values.

He added that highlighting the legacy of the late poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais and highlighting his literary works during the opening ceremony reflects the UAE’s appreciation for its cultural symbols and their contributions to consolidating the literary scene and enhancing its presence locally and globally.

He pointed out that the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature represents an annual gathering point for writers to discuss the most prominent literary and intellectual issues, pointing out that its distinction lies in its global character and the diversity of its sessions and cultural programme, which provides broad opportunities for knowledge exchange and creative interaction between cultures.

For his part, Musab Beirutiyeh, a poet specializing in children’s literature and one of the stars of the Prince of Poets programme, said that the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is one of the most prominent cultural platforms that brings together intellectuals from all over the world, and contributes to exchanging ideas and raising cultural issues, stressing that the book will remain present at all times and places, no matter how circumstances change.

He explained that the new generation faces a real challenge in its relationship with the Arabic language and Arabic literature, which requires serious and sustainable work, pointing out that he is the executive director of the “We Speak Arabic” project, which aims to support children and enhance their connection to the Arabic language through theatrical performances and educational workshops presented in schools, cultural centers and libraries.

Beirutiyeh pointed out that presenting the Arabic language to children in a fun and attractive way through educational games and movement activities contributes to changing the stereotypical image of it, stressing that initiatives that support creative people, such as golden residency, reflect the UAE’s appreciation for culture and its pioneering role in honoring intellectuals.

For her part, Rola Nader Al-Banna, a literary agent and founder of the Rola Literary Agency, said that she has been keen to attend the festival for more than ten years, as it represents a unique cultural platform that brings together Arab writers alongside Emirati and international writers, and is characterized by direct interaction between writers and readers and carefully designed sessions that bring real benefit to participants and recipients.

She added that the Arab literary scene is witnessing a boom in terms of the density of new publications, but the most prominent challenge is the weak presence of Arabic literature globally as a result of the limited translation movement, stressing that the festival provides an important opportunity to connect translators with writers, publishers and literary agencies in a way that enhances the opportunities for the global spread of Arabic literature.

For his part, Mohammed Al-Nabulsi, a children’s literature writer, said that his participation in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature represents an important milestone in his creative career, noting that the festival provides broad opportunities for communication, exchange of experiences, and media presence.

For her part, Sahar Naja Mahmoud, children’s story writer and director of Kerry Stories House, said that the festival represents an integrated cultural experience that brings together writers, poets and publishers in an organized environment that allows for the best cultural experiences, stressing the importance of attracting children to reading in Arabic through stories close to their reality that present the language in an enjoyable manner that contributes to consolidating the child’s connection to his language and identity.

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