Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature
InterContinental Hotel, Dubai
March 3 – 7
If you enjoy literature and revel in the idea of meeting the masterminds behind the books you enjoy, this would be the event to attend. What has become one of the largest literary events in the region offers an opportunity for children and adults to attend special book signings and lectures, and learn of the latest announcements about upcoming literary projects. Aspiring writers can also learn through workshops, and participate in numerous competitions including The International Prize for Arabic Fiction, The Oxford University Press Story Competition, The Taaleem Poetry Award, the Qasidah Par Coeur and The Chevron Readers’ Cup. Look out for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nawal El-Saadawi, Kaltham Al-Ghanim, Mai Al-Nakib, Mourid Barghouti, Jung Chang, Lauren Oliver and others.
More info: www.emirateslitfest.com.
Special Libraries Association Arabian Gulf Chapter’s 21st Annual Conference
Fairmont Hotel, Abu Dhabi
March 17 – 19
Hundreds of Librarians and Educators will converge on Abu Dhabi, UAE to attend The Special Libraries Association Arabian Gulf Chapter 21st Annual Summit which brings together professional librarians and educational vendors from the GCC and beyond to discuss opportunities, innovations and challenges in the field. This is one of the largest knowledge industry professional conferences held in the GCC, with this year’s theme being “The Internet and Positive Change for Librarians and Information Professionals: Creating Real Future Impact.”
Rashed Abdulrahman, President of SLA AGC and Conference Chair, said this about the conference, “We hope that this conference will be highly productive and innovative in addressing current and future changes in libraries. It will bring together librarians, researchers and educators from throughout the world who are actively changing information content and access through the development of Internet and web-based educational platforms.” Pre-conference workshops will be held at The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi. More info: http://slaagc2015.org/
Abu Dhabi Festival 2015
March 3 – April 2
Abu Dhabi Festival, presented by ADMAF, features a feast of cultural programming including:
Theatre: ‘Where Are The Neighbours?’
Students of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services will perform a theatrical adaptation of Mahmoud Diab’s novel ‘Strangers Don’t Drink Coffee’ that features the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish. Suitable for children and adults. There will be special performances on March 4 at the Fujairah Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Community Development, and March 5 at the Sharjah Institute for Theatrical Arts
Theatre: Othello: The Remix
Originally commissioned by the Shakespeare’s Globe London, following an acclaimed international tour, this is a fresh take on Shakespeare’s tragedy; spun out and lyrically rewritten over original beats. Inventive, intelligent and street smart, it turns the volume up on Shakespeare’s rhymes and rhythms for a new generation to tune into. March 5 at the Abu Dhabi Theatre, Breakwater
Poetry: Abu Dhabi International Poetry Festival
The inaugural, family-friendly edition offers a range of poetry and spoken word performances, workshops and talks by leading Emirati, Arab and Western artists. There’s also a writing competition. Thursday, March 19 at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Info: facebook.com/adpoetryfestival.
Poetry: Word to the Rhythm
Get chapter and verse at this community celebration of the spoken word presented in Arabic and English. Catch performances by poets including Salem Shukri Attas, Ahmed Al Amiri, Khaled Bin Smeda, Eman Al Hashimi, Patricia Smith and Kane Smego. March 21 at Novo Cinema, WTC. Info: community@admaf.org
Emirati: UAE Authors at the Festival
In collaboration with Madarek Publishing, Dar Warak and Hamaleel, Abu Dhabi Festival celebrates Arabic literature with the release of: ‘Al Gharbia: A Bird with Eight Wings’ and ‘Emirati Faces’ by Ali Abu Alreesh; ‘A Glossary of the Colloquial Emirati Dialect’ by Dr. Faleh Handal; ‘Take Off Your Shoes’ by Yasser Hareb; ‘Three Women & A City’ by Alya Ibrahim; and ‘Cities:Travelling & Leaving’ by Aysha Sultan.March 31 at The Space, twofour54.
For all this information visit abudhabifestival.ae
