@emirateslitfest TOP AUTHORS VISIT DUBAI FOR EMIRATES AIRLINE FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE

An eclectic mix of genres and topics is the treat in store from the sixth Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which takes place from 4-8 March 2014 at the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City.

Celebrate fiction with Abdo Khal, Justin Cronin, Nicholas Evans, Joanne Harris, Rachel Hore, Judy Finnigan, Richard Madeley, Jojo Moyes, Ahdaf Soueif, DJ Taylor, Mohammed Achaari, Amish, Saud alSanousi, and Amit Chaudhuri.

Mystery, crime and thriller fans will enjoy the line-up of crime writers with Peter James, Simon Kernick, Camilla Lackberg and Deon Meyer discussing the joy of a well-plotted crime novel and the techniques they employ to keep us at the edge of our seats.

How History affects the present and the future is examined by former BBC Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie, UK politician Paddy Ashdown and British broadcast journalist Jeremy Paxman, whose books record the unlikely heroes of the two World Wars; Jim Al-Khalili explores ‘The Golden Age Of Arabic Science’; historian Orlando Figes reveals the touching real-life love story based in a Russian Gulag; political commentator and journalist Pankaj Mishra puts forward his view on Asia’s revolt against the West and Tim Mackintosh-Smith recounts the 14^th century journey of Ibn Battuta and compares it to modern-day travel writing.

Bringing us up to date with comment on developments and complexities in the world we live in today are journalists Charles Arthur, Jeremy Bowen, Oliver Burkeman, Christina Lamb, John McCarthy and Moni Mohsin.

The illustrious line-up of biographers and memoir- writers includes Henry Blofeld, Darcey Bussell, Tim Rice, DJ Taylor, Alia Mamdouh, Georgina Howell, Raja Shehadeh and Penny Johnson and the power of poetry in a variety of languages can be enjoyed with Mohammed Achaari, Pam Ayres, Khalid al Budoor, Parween Habib, Frank Klötgen, LiTTLeMACHiNe, Andrew Motion, Ibrahim Nasrallah, Ali AlSayegh, Lemn Sissay and Yan Li.

What does it take to start a successful business? How does the economy of another nation affect you? What are the key points for good management in a business? Ha-Joon Chang, Andy Lake, and Morgen Witzel, give their thoughts on the way management and business is conducted in the modern world.

The Cookery strand returns for 2014 with international chefs Arlette Boutros, Tessa Kiros, Prue  Leith, Greg and Lucy Malouf, Camellia Panjabi, Silvena Rowe and William Sitwell offering up a culinary feast and we celebrate ‘Vive La France!’ with sessions in French from Mélanie Chappuis, Nicolas Forzy, Katherine Pancol, Kyra Dupont Troubetzkoy and Zep.

As always there is a vibrant programme for children and young adults, from top authors and illustrators including Francesca Simon, John Boyne, Eoin Colfer, John Burningham, Charlie Higson, Helen Oxenbury, Vivian French, Sally Gardner, Samar Mahfouz Barraj, Sarah McIntyre, Philip Reeve, Tony Ross, Nadine Touma and Saniyasnain Khan.

Finally, admire the skills of world-renowned calligraphers Mourad Boutros, Long Kaisheng, Hassan Massoudy and Dave Wood who’ll be displaying their talents and explaining their techniques in a series of workshops.

Joining the impressive international roster of authors is an unprecedented number of Emirati and locally-based authors who will be discussing current affairs, history and literature in all its varied forms.

The Festival is taking place in Dubai from 4 to 8 March under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and in partnership with Emirates and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage. The Festival is now part of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which was established last year by Royal decree.

Tickets for the Festival are available on-line at emirateslitfest.com and also at Festival Bookseller WHSmith’s selected outlets in Dubai Mall (lower-ground floor), Oasis Centre Mall, Marina Mall and Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Ticket prices start at AED45 and there are also many events and activities on offer free of charge.

For more details of the Festival please visit www.emirateslitfest.com. Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/emirateslitfest), Twitter (www.twitter.com/emirateslitfest), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EmiratesLitFest) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/EmiratesLitFest) for competitions and more updates.