Latest news with #EmiratesAirlineFestivalofLiterature
Mid East Info
09-05-2025
- General
- Mid East Info
EMIRATES LITERATURE FOUNDATION UNVEILS 2025'S MOST INSPIRING SCHOOL LIBRARIANS - Middle East Business News and Information
106 School Librarians Nominated Across All 7 Emirates for Outstanding Contributions to Education Dubai, UAE,May 2025: This morning, the Emirates Literature Foundation honoured the nation's most innovative librarians at the School Librarians of the Year Award 2025, with winners receiving their awards from HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in a ceremony at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. This year's 106 nominations – a milestone number, representing all seven Emirates – included 26 public school and 80 private school candidates, highlighting the sustained recognition of librarians' vital role in shaping young minds. The Ceremony also marked the official launch of the Association of School Librarians under the Community Development Authority, a landmark initiative to support the community of professionals and share and establish best practices across UAE school librarians. 'Supporting school librarians is a strategic investment in the intellectual and cultural development of our nation. As Chairman of the Emirates Literature Foundation, I am proud to see initiatives like the School Librarian of the Year Awards and the Reading for Pleasure Conference shaping a generation that values knowledge, creativity, and community. These educators are essential to building a future rooted in literacy and lifelong learning.' His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Emirates Literature Foundation's board of trustees, said. 'Today's winners represent the leaders of educational transformation. They've reimagined libraries as dynamic learning hubs—blending education, technology, and community building. Their work aligns perfectly with the UAE's vision for a future-ready generation. As we mark the 9th year of the School Librarian of the Year Awards, we celebrate not only the individual achievements of librarians but the strong, supportive community we've built over the past decade. This year's ceremony, held as part of the Reading for Pleasure Conference, reinforces our commitment to deepening the national conversation around the importance of reading for pleasure and its role in shaping lifelong learners,' said Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and Managing Director of ELF Publishing. 'We particularly thank The Executive Council of Dubai for their foresight in supporting these educators. Through the launch of the new Association of School Librarians, we ensure that such transformative efforts become the norm, not the exception.' The Awards were presented by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum personally honouring the winners in his capacity as the Chairman of the Emirates Literature Foundation's Board of Trustees. The Ceremony was attended by His Excellency Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General, The Executive Council of Dubai; HE Dr. Amir Ahmad Sharif; Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali; and directors from the Ministry of Education, and principals from top public and private schools, reflecting the wide-ranging support for the school library sector. 2025 Award Winners SLOY AWARD: Public: Azza Mohamed, Qatr Alnada School, Abu Dhabi Private: Marina Koniotou, Amity International School, Abu Dhabi Best Use of Resources Public: Moza Al Hassani, Atekah Bint Zaid School – Cycle 1, Sharjah Private: Mathilde Serhan Dupont, Lyceè Fraçais International de Dubaï (AFLEC), Dubai Best in Innovation: Public: Aisha Al Ahbabi, AlQemma School, Abu Dhabi Private: Louise MacLeod, GEMS International School, Dubai Best in Community Involvement: Public: Kholoud Al Kaabi, Al Ataa School, Abu Dhabi Private: Lakmee Senadheera, Al Ain British Academy, Abu Dhabi This year's ceremony formed part of the second edition of the Reading for Pleasure Conference, an initiative dedicated to embedding a lifelong love of reading in the nation's education system. Bringing together educators, authors, policymakers, and literacy advocates, the conference provided a platform to share best practices, explore research-driven strategies, and celebrate the transformational power of libraries in student development. Together, the conference and Awards highlighted a growing movement to place reading for pleasure at the heart of the UAE's educational future. The School Librarian of the Year Award was established in 2017 by the Emirates Literature Foundation in partnership with The Executive Council of Dubai. The Award honours outstanding school librarians in the UAE's public and private schools who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting reading for pleasure and enhancing academic and literacy standards among students. Since its inception, School Librarian of the Year Award has recognized numerous librarians for their innovative approaches to fostering a love of reading and learning within their school communities. The Award Ceremony is held annually, celebrating the critical role of school librarians in shaping the educational landscape of the UAE.
Khaleej Times
14-02-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
‘Most good or bad behaviour comes from conformity': Dr Hanno Sauer
Dr Hanno Sauer, a writer and philosopher from Germany, attended the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature on February 1, 2025 for a talk about his book The Invention of Good and Evil. Dr Sauer teaches ethics at the University of Utrecht, Netherlands and is working on bringing 'empirical findings from various disciplines to bear on philosophical questions'. He has another book all set to release soon. Wknd. caught up with the author to explore the inspirations behind his work and his perspective on morality in today's world. Morality is a subjective concept for most human beings, yet it seems to have certain defined principles across cultures, societies, and nations. What common themes have you found that seem to join humanity regarding morality? Do you believe there is a historical context to it? In one sense, morality is subjective; in another, it isn't. It is subjective in that it depends on human beings—while diamonds would exist even if humans had never evolved, morality is a construct that arises from human existence. However, morality isn't subjective in the sense of being arbitrary, made up, or entirely different from culture to culture. At its core, morality is about cooperation and how we live together as a society. So helping others, rules against theft or violence, principles of fairness and the desire for freedom are universal in all societies, even if they sometimes get crushed by powerful forces. Many also argue that people behave morally out of fear, whether of the law or an afterlife. However, human beings also have a tendency to succumb to their darkest desires. What is your take on this? We need social sanctions to maintain cooperation and prevent societal collapse. These sanctions can range from soft measures, like gossip, to strict penalties, such as imprisonment. However, it's important to shape society in a way that minimises the need for such sanctions. When they are necessary, they should be fair and proportionate—not excessively harsh, but as mild as possible. Mostly, however, people aren't good because they are afraid of the afterlife or bad because of their darkest instincts. Most good or bad behaviour comes from conformity, the desire to fit in. In the modern era, where social media dominates discourse, do you think morality has shifted towards actions that attract more attention? For instance, some influencers create videos showcasing acts of kindness, while others argue that these gestures are merely performative, done to gain followers and likes. What is your perspective on this? People have always tried to broadcast their virtues to other people, so this is nothing new. The main difference is that with social media, it is sometimes possible to reach thousands of people at once. This can encourage a kind of moral performance that is driven by engagement, such as likes and clicks. It's a bit too early to tell what the long-term consequences of this will be. What made you choose the subject of morality as your focus of research? I've just always been personally interested in these questions: what is justice? How should a good society look like? How should we treat each other? I think the best way to address these questions is by looking at how morality works, and how it has worked over the course of human history. Is your perspective on morality inherently optimistic? Do you believe criminals can genuinely reform, and that society can progress towards positive evolution if provided with sufficient resources? I like to say that I am 51 per cent optimistic. I do think that there are forces in humanity that can lead to its long term moral improvement, but there are no guarantees this will happen. Mostly, we should allow human beings to live freely and to continue to experiment with different lfestyles, values, and norms, so that we can figure out new and better ways to improve our lives.
Gulf Today
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Book offers confidence-boosting tips for kids
DUBAI: Long-time Dubai expat and best-selling author, radio broadcaster, and mum of two, Helen Farmer, has launched her second children's book, 'My Family's Secret Superpowers.' The book, published by The Dreamwork Collective, explores how to cope with the anxieties of day-to-day life and offers tips to boost kids' confidence and alleviate their worries and fears. Following on from Farmer's best-selling debut book 'My Mummy's Secret Adventures,' the new heart-warming children's tale follows a young girl named Ruby, who realises that she sometimes feels nervous when doing new things. The story reveals that she's not alone, as her Mum, Dad, and big sister Olive share that they too have times when they don't feel so good. Ruby finds out what makes them worried, and together, they come up with strange and fun ways – their secret superpowers – to help them feel better. The book features charming illustrations by Pavithra Suresh and playful characters to help young readers discover Ruby's tips and tricks for untangling knots and feeling more confident. The publication was launched at this year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and unveiled at a community event for families last week during Children's Mental Health Week. Renowned for her authentic and relatable take on life and motherhood, Farmer juggles a career in broadcasting with her main role as a mum to her two daughters. She extended her portfolio of talents to children's literature last year, as a way to help parents broach tricky topics with their kids and start a conversation about things they might be struggling with. As anxiety continues to dominate as the primary mental health concern for young people, My Family's Secret Superpowers aims to reassure children that they're not alone with their worries and there are ways to overcome their concerns. Farmer said about her new book, 'Anxiety isn't something to be 'fixed' — it's something to be understood and managed. By talking openly, using simple techniques, modelling coping strategies as adults, and embracing the power of storytelling, families can help children build confidence and resilience. In doing so, they teach kids one of the most important lessons of all: It's okay to feel nervous, and they have the tools to handle it.'' My Family's Secret Superpowers, published by The Dreamwork Collective, is available at Helen Farmer is a BBC-trained broadcast journalist, juggling a career in broadcasting and writing with her main role as a mum to her two daughters.
Mid East Info
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
YOUNG CREATIVES SHINE BRIGHT AT EMIRATES AIRLINE FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE
Students aged 9 to 25 years showcased their remarkable abilities in story writing, letter writing, crafts, poetry performance, and digital storytelling, plus their love for reading, highlighting the vibrant literary landscape that exists across the UAE. Dubai, UAE, February 2025: The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature celebrated young literary talent at six prestigious Prize-Giving Ceremonies, recognising exceptional achievements in reading, writing, and creative expression across various competitions organised by their parent organisation, Emirates Literature Foundation. Chevron Readers' Cup: The 2024-2025 edition of this competition, which tests comprehension, mental recall, mindful reading, critical thinking, and encourages sportsmanship, saw a record number of entries with well over 5000 students participating in 1319 teams across the two age groups in Arabic and English from across the GCC, including KSA, Kuwait and UAE. A total of 42 teams in English and 40 teams in Arabic were shortlisted and battled it out at the highly competitive final rounds with winners taking away trophies for their school, individual medals for each team member and Magrudy's book vouchers valued at AED 1,000. Chevron has been sponsoring the Readers' Cup for thirteen years and were present at the Prize-Giving Ceremony with Muhammad Al Sadek, Commercial & Government Relations Manager, Chevron and Renu Sharma, General Manager & Country Chair, UAE presenting the cup to the winners alongside representatives from Emirates Literature Foundation. The top contenders in each age and language category were as below: English Winner – Primary Age Group: Pirates of the Page, GEMS Our Own English High School Al Warqa Dubai, (Girls branch) English Winner – Secondary Age Group: Secondary Team 1, Al Saad Indian School, Al Ain Arabic Winner – Primary Age Group: The Shining Stars, Dubai National School, Al Twaar, Dubai Arabic Winner – Secondary Age Group: The Novel Heroes, Dar Al Uloom Private School, Falaj Hazza', Abu Dhabi. Emirates NBD Poetry for All: This annual competition that completed its eighth cycle celebrates poetry performance and recital through a process that evaluates understanding, delivery, and fluency. The competition is open for UAE based students of all abilities, between the ages 8 and 18 years. This year, it has seen phenomenal examples of oral narration from 1381 students keeping the tradition of the Arab world truly alive. The final performances were held at the Festival with poets Adrianne Kalfopoulou, Danabelle Gutierrez, Khairani Barokka and Safiya Sinclair assessing the English performers and Amal Al Sahlawi, Abdullatif Yousef and Jassim Al Obaidli assessing the Arabic performers. In English, the first place winners in each age category were ages 8-13, Radhika Suresh, Abu Dhabi Indian School; ages 14-18 Gabriel Ricardo O. De Vera, The Philippine School; and ages 8-18 in Students of Determination category Aarav B, GEMS Modern Academy; Shaikha Ahmad Khalfan, Ajman Girls School for Secondary Education, Ajman; Umang Chugh, Pristine Private School, Dubai. In Arabic, the first place winners in each age category were ages 8-13 and 14-18 (Faseeh), Yaseen Mukhtar, Dubai English Speaking School, Dubai and Yaseen Mousa, Dubai English Speaking School, Dubai, ages 8-13 and 14-18 (Nabati), Sultan Khalid Sultan Abdullah Al Shamsi, Applied Technology Schools (ATS) / Al Hili Campus, Abu Dhabi and Mohammed Fahad, Liwa International School, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and ages 8-18 in Students of Determination Mozah Abdullah Saif Al Shamsi, Nima Primary School, Abu Dhabi; Jaser Ahmed Farraj, Al-Ahliya Charity Foundation, Dubai; Suleiman Khamees Suleiman Al-Kudaim, Zayed Educational Complex, Fujairah. Arcadia Book in a Box: Classes (and teachers) from primary schools across the UAE had fun in this unique competition that transcends the constraints of language to create a visual diorama of a book, or scene from a book, using recycled materials. 199 dioramas were submitted for consideration in round 1 with 15 shortlisted pieces on display for the enjoyment of the Festival visitors and for close evaluation by the judging panel which composed of two representatives from Arcadia British School and prominent illustrators Maitha Al Khayat, Megan Hess, and Alex Latimer. Three winners were recognized with a plaque and a voucher (between AED 500 – 1,000) from Magrudy's bookstore. The winners are as follows: Apple International School, 3B, The Pearl Diver GEMS International School, Falcon Bookclub, Jack and the Beanstalk Springdales School Dubai, Class 4, Kareem is Afraid of Ghosts Visitors Choice Award: Pristine Private School, Class 2A, Merkaat Mail More details about the judging criteria and more photos of the winning entries can be found on the competition website. DCT Children's Letter Writing Competition: With the generous support of a new partner, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, UAE's beloved letter writing competition returned for another round of recognizing exemplary penmanship in the youth. The students were invited to write a letter to someone special exploring the theme of 'Imagine' and their letters delivered on both aesthetics and creativity. What differentiates this competition from others is that not only does it encourage an interest in the forgotten art of handwriting, with 2174students from across the Emirates participating, but it also offers the winners an opportunity for an exclusive meet and greet with Vashti Hardy and Shaikha Al Zeyara, bestselling children's author from the Emirates LitFest 2025 programme. The Arabic judges are authors Shaikha Al Zeyara, Doha Khasawneh and Walid Taher, while the English judges are Beverly Jatwani, Daniela Tully, Ebtisam Al Beiti, Hilda Youseff, Kathy Urban and Saniya Chugtai. The first-place winners in each age and language category were as below: English Winner – Ages 8-10: Hoor Nagdy Mostafa Kamal, New Dawn Private School, Dubai English Winner – Ages 11-13: Avika Singh, GEMS Millennium School Sharjah English Winner – Ages 14 – 18: Sashini Manikandan, Delhi Private School, Sharjah Arabic Winner – Ages 8-10: Leen Osama Abdelraof, Al Salam Community School, Dubai Arabic Winner – Ages 11-13: Shahd Hassan Alsewidan, Al Zallaqa School, Abu Dhabi Arabic Winner – Ages 14 – 18: Sarah Abdelaziz Abas AzizAllah Hussein, Dubai National School Al Barsha, Dubai. Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition: 5366 students in the UAE and across the GCC vied for the chance to become published authors by submitting their stories on the theme of 'Imagine' for consideration by the judges of the Oxford University Press Story Competition. In addition to their inclusion in the anthology, the students also had the honour to be judged by renowned authors and editors, April Hardy, Kathy Hoopmann, Kathy Butti and Annemieke Woodbridge and Arabic judges; May Chebaklo, Aya Qasem, Samar Mahfouz Barraj and Mohanad Al Akous. In English, winners in each age category were ages 11 and under Hania Faisal, International School of Creative Science, Sharjah and Nishi Ramchandani Gems Our Own English High School, Dubai. Ages 12-14, Saanvi Kiran, Springdales School Dubai, Dubai, and ages 15-17, Alina Ann Vinu, Mayoor Private School, Abu Dhabi and ages 18-25, Sarah Aljabri, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi. In Arabic, winners in each age category were ages 11 and under, Fatima Al Zahra Musab Abdallah Sulaiman, St Mary Catholic School, Fujairah and ages 12-14, Mahra Ali Abdallah Salem, Al Khatim School, Abu Dhabi, ages 15-17, Amal Mohamed, Madinat Zayed School C2,C3, Abu Dhabi and ages 18-25, Kulaitham Al Blooshi, Zayed University, Dubai. Al Futtaim Digital Storytelling Competition: Contenders of the second Al Futtaim Digital Storytelling Competition embraced storytelling in the new age by collaborating as teams to produce short-form (2-3 minutes long) vertical films inspired by their favourite book or poem in Arabic. The competition, which is open to students aged 12-18, is designed to help students develop their skills in creating content on their phones without compromising on creativity and quality. Three winners, who were selected by a panel of luminaries in the education and media field, Ahmed Al Sadeq, Nahla Al Fahd and Hasna Khattab were recognized with a visit to MBC studio and book vouchers. The winners are as follows: The Hope Generation, Deira International School, Dubai The Travelers, Al-Najah Girls' School – Cycle 2, 3, Ras Al Khaimah. Tina, Khadija Al Kubra Iranian Girls' Private School, Dubai. The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the flagship event of the Emirates Literature Foundation, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The Festival is held with the support of Title Sponsor, Emirates Airline, and Founding Partner, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
The National
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Sci-fi story competition announced for writers in the UAE
The Emirates Literature Foundation on Thursday announced, in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, the launch of a science fiction short story competition for emerging authors in the UAE. The MBRSC Short Story Award: New Voices in Sci-Fi is open to writers in Arabic and English. The competition aims to inspire and foster a new generation of science fiction writers and to celebrate the writing talent and creative potential that already exists in the country. 'This is more than a platform for recognition, it's a way to encourage writers to see their voices as vital contributors to a global conversation,' Ahlam Bolooki, chief executive of Emirates Literature Foundation, director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and managing director of ELF Publishing, tells The National. 'We're creating a space for them to dream big, imagine boldly, and put their ideas out into the world. This award isn't just about finding the best story – it's about fostering a community of writers who can inspire one another, learn from one another, and grow together.' Bolooki says the competition will also be about showing aspiring writers that their unique perspectives matter and that with the right support, their creativity and careers can thrive. MBRSC Short Story Award: New Voices in Sci-Fi is open to writers aged 16 to 30. They can enter original stories in English or Arabic, between 1,500 and 5,000 words long, until November 16. The initiative was announced on the second day of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which runs until February 3 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. All entries will be read by a panel of judges, including a yet-to-be-announced renowned science fiction author. The short stories will be judged on originality, creativity, scientific accuracy, narrative strength, character development and overall literary merit. The winners will be announced at next year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, where they will receive a plaque, be enrolled for creative writing workshops and receive access to festival sessions. The winning stories will also be published in an anthology which will be launched at the 2027 festival. Bolooki says the short story competition not only values bold ideas but will seek them out. 'Sci-fi is such a powerful genre because it dares to imagine what the future could look like and challenges us to think beyond our current limitations,' she says. 'It's not just about fictional worlds; it's about shaping real possibilities.' Bolooki also adds that the genre is connected to the UAE's story. 'For the UAE, a small country with truly big ambitions, sci-fi resonates deeply with our journey. We've accomplished extraordinary milestones, from the Hope Probe's historic mission to Mars to our focus on building a thriving space industry that contributes to global advancements. These achievements represent a bold vision for the future – a vision that sci-fi is crucial. The genre not only complements the UAE's innovative spirit but also inspires a new generation to see themselves as contributors to humanity's story of exploration.' While the ambitions of the genre and themes of science fiction are big, so too is the potential for what the competition can achieve for UAE writing community. 'This award isn't just about science fiction – it's about shaping the future of storytelling,' Bolooki says. 'It's an opportunity to use storytelling as a way to connect innovation with humanity, blending creativity with the real-world breakthroughs happening here in the UAE.' For all competition details visit:
