The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is taking place from January 29 to February 3 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. It will feature more than 150 events including author talks, panel discussions and performances.
From sessions with award-winning international writers and regional talent to talks that delve into specialist topics and performances that pay homage to the literary greats, here are The National’s picks for this year.
A Sip Through Time, January 31
Coffee lovers are invited to delve into various facets of the hot beverage with A Sip Through Time. The session, which will be in Arabic only, will be led by writer and researcher Majed Alahdal, author of Diwan Al-Qahwa. He'll provide deep insights into the history and identity of coffee.
6.30pm to 7.30pm; Khor Pavilion, Intercontinental Hotel; free event
Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water, January 31
Author of the hugely successful 2009 novel Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese will be on stage to discuss his 2023 literary hit The Covenant of Water.The story follows the mystery of a family in Kerala who lose one member to drowning. The narrative spans three generations from 1900 to 1977. Verghese will delve into this family saga set at a crucial time in India’s history.
7pm to 8pm; Story Dunes, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh100
All That Glitters, January 31
Part drama, part culinary experience and part dinner, All That Glitters is a murder mystery where no one is safe. Dinner guests can help solve the whodunnit between a group of glamorous over-the-top actors, a controlling director and a suffering assistant in a locked-down film set.
8.15pm to 10.30pm, Al Baraha lll, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh425
Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), February 1
Children have several engaging workshops and fun activities to explore during the festival. This includes a talk by Daniel Handler, more popularly known as Lemony Snicket, the author of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
The book series comprises 13 novels following the peculiar and chaotic lives of the orphaned siblings Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire. The books were adapted into a 2004 film starring Jim Carey and more recently a Netflix series starring Neil Patrick Harris. Handler's session will be moderated by children’s author Jack Meggitt-Phillips.
10am to 11am; Story Dunes, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh75
Laaleen Sukhera on 250 Years of Jane Austen, February 1
The renowned English author Jane Austen will be celebrated 250 years after her birth, as works such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility still resonate with audiences today.
In the Discovery Talks section that features authors and experts delving into specialised topics, Laaleen Sukhera, founder of the Jane Austen Society Menap and editor of Austenistan, will lead a talk about the novelist's life and legacy.
3pm to 3.45pm; Khor Pavilion, Intercontinental Hotel; free event
Zeinab Badawi: An African History of Africa, February
The history of cultures, countries and continents will be explored and re-examined in several sessions including An African History of Africa with journalist and filmmaker Zeinab Badawi.
The session will delve into Badawi’s book of the same name, which looks at Africa’s history from ancient civilisations to its medieval empires, through to the periods of change in recent centuries but through an African perspective.
4.15pm to 5pm; Al Baraha lll, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh75
Nizar Qabbani, February 1
Syrian diplomat, poet, writer and publisher Nizar Qabbani, whose work has been adapted into many well-known songs in the region, will be honoured in a session about love and nationhood.
Nizar Qabbani: Endless Love will be a session filled with poetry and performance where audiences can experience theatrical interpretations of Qabbani’s most famous poems.
7.30pm to 8.30pm; Al Baraha lll, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh75
An Evening with Abdulrazak Gurnah, February 1
Abdulrazak Gurnah, a Nobel Prize-winning Tanzanian-British novelist, will be on stage to discuss his latest book Theft. Known for his complex and powerful novels such as Paradise, Afterlives, Desertion and By the Sea, his works explore important concepts such as exile, identity and belonging, Gurnah will reflect on these themes and his career during his session.
7.30pm to 8.30pm; Story Dunes, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh100
The Bethlehem Banquet, February 1
In a special event, Franco-Palestinian chef, hotelier and author Fadi Kattan will host the Bethlehem Banquet, which includes dinner and conversation. Kattan will share his personal journey as an author and chef and celebrate Palestinian culture through cuisine – from its ingredients and dishes to its traditions and resilience.
8.30pm to 10.30pm; Zaytoun Restaurant, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh425
History Lessons, February 2
History is also put under the microscope through the medium of fiction with The Covenant of Water's author Abraham Verghese and Pip Williams, who penned The Dictionary of Lost Words and The Bookbinder of Jericho. The two popular novelists are set to discuss how they bring historical fiction about marginalised voices to life in authentic ways.
2pm to 3pm; Al Ras lll, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh75
Postmodern Prose, February 2
Khalid Albudoor, considered one of the pioneers of the modern poetry movement in the UAE, along with poet, writer and editor Asmaa Azaizeh will discuss the world of postmodern Arabic poetry from its beauty to its challenges. Albudoor and Azaizeh will look at various facets of this poetic movement including how writers express their experiences through the medium.
2pm to 3pm; Al Baraha l; Intercontinental Hotel; Dh50
Jack Meggitt-Phillips, February 2
Meggitt-Phillips is an English author, known for the acclaimed children's series The Beast and the Bethany, which tells the story of a 500-year-old man, a hungry beast and a rebellious prankster. The series has been translated into more than 30 languages and has a major film deal with Heyday Films.
2.30pm to 3.15pm; Al Baraha ll, Intercontinental Hotel; Dh50
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The five pillars of Islam
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
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The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now