Latest news with #EmiratesLiteratureFoundation
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Dubai-Based Author Celebrates Global Literary Breakthrough with Bestseller Book Launch - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, UAE: The Emirates Literature Foundation, in partnership with Fiker Insitute, hosted a special evening for the launch of What Will People Think , the highly anticipated debut novel by award-winning writer and journalist Sara Hamdan. The exclusive event was held at the Fiker Institute in Alserkal Avenue on Sunday, 1 June 2025 and featured a fireside chat with the author led by Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, followed by a book signing and celebratory reception. The evening brought together leading voices from Dubai's cultural and literary community, including representatives from Alserkal Avenue, Art Jameel, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Department of Economy and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Seddiqi Holding, and a number of local authors and publishers. 'This is a landmark moment not only for Sara but for the entire literary ecosystem in Dubai,' said Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation. 'Her journey from an aspiring writer to a published author topping international bestseller lists is a shining example of what's possible when talent is matched with opportunity. It's also a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that mentorship, community support, and targeted initiatives like the First Chapter Fellowship can have on a writer's path. At the Emirates Literature Foundation, we believe in nurturing local voices and amplifying stories from this region on a global stage. We are honoured to have played a role in supporting her from her first draft to the world stage, and we hope her story inspires a new generation of writers – the world is ready for our stories. It's time we write them.' 'At Fiker Institute, we are honoured to host the regional launch of Sarah Hamdan's debut novel and are proud to champion the voices of Arab authors and creatives on the global stage—amplifying stories that shape our cultural and intellectual landscape.' Dubai Abulhoul, Founder of Fiker Institute. 'We are thrilled to witness the amazing response Sara's book has received globally and look forward to local audiences discovering her talent and passion for storytelling. This is a pivotal moment, one that continues to pave the way for the Fellowship and strengthens the importance of such a platform to nurture writers in the region. Congratulations once again to Sara and we look forward to supporting her on this incredible journey for years to come,' said Hind Seddiqi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Seddiqi Holding. Currently ranked as the number one best-seller on Amazon UAE in the Humorous Fiction category, What Will People Think has struck a global chord with its heartfelt, funny, and deeply relatable narrative. It was recently featured in The New York Times' list of '24 Books Coming in May' and praised by Publishers Weekly as a novel that 'will linger in readers' minds.' Palestinian American comedian Mo Amer described it as 'Superb… A timely yet timeless story'. The novel's international momentum began with a sold-out virtual book launch hosted by the Harvard Book Store on 19 May 2025. Hamdan is set to embark on a U.S. book tour in Fall 2025. The book is available in the UAE online on Amazon and in store in Magrudy's and other bookstores. 'I am so proud to tell a story that centres on strong, warm, funny Arab women and so grateful that the world is connecting with the universal, emotional themes,' said Hamdan. 'Our stories matter. This moment feels bigger than me; it's a win for the incredible fellowship and for Dubai – a city of dreams that has served as my home for twenty years.' Sara Hamdan, a proud recipient of the ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Writers' Fellowship, is a Dubai-based writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times , Forbes , and Conde Nast Traveller . Sara Hamdan was announced as a fellow of the inaugural ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Writers' Fellowship in February 2022. Within a year, she signed with literary agents Meredith Miller (UTA) and Sheila Crowley (Curtis Brown) and secured a landmark two-book deal with US publisher Holt after a highly competitive auction. Sara will be doing a US book tour in fall 2025. The First Chapter Fellowship, supported by Seddiqi Holding, provides selected UAE-based writers with invaluable mentorship, including 6 hours of one-on-one coaching from internationally renowned authors, 40 hours of industry workshops, introductions to global agents and editors, and access to international writing courses, including those from the Gotham Writers Centre in New York.
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.
Gulf Today
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Emirates Literature Foundation explores comics
Comics and graphic novels are a storytelling powerhouse, blending text and illustration in a way that immerses readers like no other medium can. Yet, despite their ability to captivate and challenge perspectives, they're still too often dismissed as 'not real literature.' With Middle East Film & Comic Con approaching this April, it's the perfect time to celebrate the power of visual storytelling. Ahlam Bolooki, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Literature Foundation, remarks: 'Comics and graphic novels aren't just about superheroes. They're a dynamic storytelling medium, just as rich and impactful as prose, and just as effortlessly versatile, which is why they're such a powerful tool for social commentary. For those wanting to dip their toes into this varied medium, here are a few of the best titles published in recent years by local authors and illustrators – outside of the Marvel and DC universes: Shubeik Lubeik, written and illustrated by Deena Mohamed In a world where wishes of varying degrees of power can be bought and sold, three separate, but interlinked, stories begin to unfold, exploring the hidden dangers of getting everything you ever hoped for. With fluid storytelling, tongue-in-cheek humour, and expressive art, Mohamed displays an effortless mastery of the form. No surprise, then, that the online series turned into a published trilogy (in Arabic) and single title (English, translated by Mohamed herself). The Egyptian comic creator earned multiple awards and rave reviews — including Winner of the Best Graphic Novel and the Grand Prix of the Cairo Comix Festival, the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, Eisner Award and Hugo Award nominations and places on several End of Year 'Best of' lists. Raiiken by Mo Abedin: Combining Japanese and Roman mythology, Raiiken follows a boy prophesied to be the destroyer of all worlds in a quest to become the saviour of all mankind. An epic saga of trust, the Emirati storyteller's rich character development has been a work-in-progress since Abedin was 15 – and has gained a huge international following over the years. It Won't Always Be Like This, written and illustrated by Malaka Gharib While Gharib's first graphic memoir explores her experience of growing up in America while also half-Filipino and half-Egyptian, her second novel hones in on the summers she spent in Egypt. This more specialised focus allows Gharib to use her loose cartoonist style to dig deeper into what it means to belong both to a family and a wider culture, all without sacrificing any of her signature sense of humour and heart.
Gulf Today
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Emirates Literature Foundation explores Arab comics
Comics and graphic novels are a storytelling powerhouse, blending text and illustration in a way that immerses readers like no other medium can. Yet, despite their ability to captivate and challenge perspectives, they're still too often dismissed as 'not real literature.' With Middle East Film & Comic Con approaching this April, it's the perfect time to celebrate the power of visual storytelling. Far from being a lesser art form, comics are both a gateway to reading and a genre that stands strong on its own, delivering narratives that are just as rich, complex, and impactful as traditional prose. Ahlam Bolooki, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Literature Foundation, remarks: 'Comics and graphic novels aren't just about superheroes. They're a dynamic storytelling medium, just as rich and impactful as prose, and just as effortlessly versatile, which is why they're such a powerful tool for social commentary. It's for this reason that comic art is emerging as a viable medium not just in the West and the Far East, but here in the Arab world. "From Egypt and Lebanon to the UAE, it's wonderful to see authors grappling with nuanced experiences across the region through such a bold and innovative art form.' For those wanting to dip their toes into this varied medium, here are a few of the best titles published in recent years by local authors and illustrators – outside of the Marvel and DC universes: Shubeik Lubeik, written and illustrated by Deena Mohamed In a world where wishes of varying degrees of power can be bought and sold, three separate, but interlinked, stories begin to unfold, exploring the hidden dangers of getting everything you ever hoped for. With fluid storytelling, tongue-in-cheek humour, and expressive art, Mohamed displays an effortless mastery of the form. No surprise, then, that the online series turned into a published trilogy (in Arabic) and single title (English, translated by Mohamed herself). The Egyptian comic creator earned multiple awards and rave reviews — including Winner of the Best Graphic Novel and the Grand Prix of the Cairo Comix Festival, the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, Eisner Award and Hugo Award nominations and places on several End of Year 'Best of' lists. Raiiken by Mo Abedin Combining Japanese and Roman mythology, Raiiken follows a boy prophesied to be the destroyer of all worlds in a quest to become the saviour of all mankind. An epic saga of trust, the Emirati storyteller's rich character development has been a work-in-progress since Abedin was 15 – and has gained a huge international following over the years. It Won't Always Be Like This, written and illustrated by Malaka Gharib While Gharib's first graphic memoir explores her experience of growing up in America while also half-Filipino and half-Egyptian, her second novel hones in on the summers she spent in Egypt. This more specialised focus allows Gharib to use her loose cartoonist style to dig deeper into what it means to belong both to a family and a wider culture, all without sacrificing any of her signature sense of humour and heart. Squire, written by Nadia Shammas and illustrated by Sara Alfageeh A young girl signs up to become a knight, only to discover that the stories she's been told about the war-torn empire she lives in may not be entirely true. Set in an alternate Middle Eastern and North African fantasy setting, Shammas and Alfageeh have created an expansive world reminiscent of Avatar the Last Airbender — right down to the plucky cast of teenage characters. Shammas' writing draws on complex themes, while Alfageeh's dynamic art style lends a sweeping, timeless feel to every panel and spread. About the Emirates Literature Foundation: The Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures a love of literature in the United Arab Emirates and the region, through a programme of varied cultural initiatives. Established in 2013 by Royal Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims to foster a love for literature, with a focus on the Arabic language. In line with the National Reading Policy of the UAE, the Foundation has implemented several long-term projects including the First Chapter, the School Librarian of the Year Award, Kateb Maktub, and From the Inside Out, as well as conducting year-round student education programmes, book clubs and mentorship programmes. The Foundation's previous initiatives included the 2020 International Literary Festivals Conference, the 2017 Dubai International Publishing Conference and the 2016 Dubai Translation Conference. The Foundation is in official relations with UNESCO and is also the governing body of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE's premier literary festival.
Mid East Info
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
The Highs and Lows of Graphic Novels - Middle East Business News and Information
Emirates Literature Foundation Explores Arab Comics Ahead of Middle East Film & Comic Con. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Comics and graphic novels are a storytelling powerhouse, blending text and illustration in a way that immerses readers like no other medium can. Yet, despite their ability to captivate and challenge perspectives, they're still too often dismissed as 'not real literature.' With Middle East Film & Comic Con approaching this April, it's the perfect time to celebrate the power of visual storytelling. Far from being a lesser art form, comics are both a gateway to reading and a genre that stands strong on its own, delivering narratives that are just as rich, complex, and impactful as traditional prose. Ahlam Bolooki, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Literature Foundation, remarks: 'Comics and graphic novels aren't just about superheroes. They're a dynamic storytelling medium, just as rich and impactful as prose, and just as effortlessly versatile, which is why they're such a powerful tool for social commentary. It's for this reason that comic art is emerging as a viable medium not just in the West and the Far East, but here in the Arab world. From Egypt and Lebanon to the UAE, it's wonderful to see authors grappling with nuanced experiences across the region through such a bold and innovative art form.' For those wanting to dip their toes into this varied medium, here are a few of the best titles published in recent years by local authors and illustrators – outside of the Marvel and DC universes: Shubeik Lubeik written and illustrated by Deena Mohamed: In a world where wishes of varying degrees of power can be bought and sold, three separate, but interlinked, stories begin to unfold, exploring the hidden dangers of getting everything you ever hoped for. With fluid storytelling, tongue-in-cheek humour, and expressive art, Mohamed displays an effortless mastery of the form. No surprise, then, that the online series turned into a published trilogy (in Arabic) and single title (English, translated by Mohamed herself). The Egyptian comic creator earned multiple awards and rave reviews — including Winner of the Best Graphic Novel and the Grand Prix of the Cairo Comix Festival, the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, Eisner Award and Hugo Award nominations and places on several End of Year 'Best of' lists. Raiiken by Mo Abedin: Combining Japanese and Roman mythology, Raiiken follows a boy prophesied to be the destroyer of all worlds in a quest to become the savoir of all mankind. An epic saga of trust, the Emirati storyteller's rich character development has been a work-in-progress since Abedin was 15 – and has gained a huge international following over the years. It Won't Always Be Like This written and illustrated by Malaka Gharib: While Gharib's first graphic memoir explores her experience of growing up in America while also half-Filipino and half-Egyptian, her second novel hones in on the summers she spent in Egypt. This more specialised focus allows Gharib to use her loose cartoonist style to dig deeper into what it means to belong both to a family and a wider culture, all without sacrificing any of her signature sense of humour and heart. Squire written by Nadia Shammas and illustrated by Sara Alfageeh: A young girl signs up to become a knight, only to discover that the stories she's been told about the war-torn empire she lives in may not be entirely true. Set in an alternate Middle Eastern and North African fantasy setting, Shammas and Alfageeh have created an expansive world reminiscent of Avatar the Last Airbender — right down to the plucky cast of teenage characters. Shammas' writing draws on complex themes, while Alfageeh's dynamic art style lends a sweeping, timeless feel to every panel and spread.
