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The Middle East’s first literary festival is to take place next February, with 60 international writers and poets signed up to take part.
The inaugural Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) will take place in Dubai from February 26 to March 1, 2009. One of the key events will be the Education Day when visiting authors will travel to schools and colleges in the city to promote reading and writing.
English-language authors lined up to appear include Chimamanda Adichie, Kate Adie, Margaret Atwood, Rachel Billington, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Anne Fine, Anthony Horowitz and Frank McCourt. Arab writers include Turki Al Dakheel, Khaled Al Khamissi, Ibrahim Al Kouni, Jamal Al Ghitani and Raja Alsanea.
Isobel Abulhoul, director of EAIFL and Magrudy’s bookshops, said “There will be a strong emphasis on introducing Arab authors to multicultural audiences and promoting Arabic literature across all levels within the context of this international gathering.”