![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZIULLAEND6GPKXANK77BA5NZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=78ab4d6453ece288554576e2966b1c564c0634c0c2935dc9ae01ef3ca4e3f7be&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid launched a new children's book at the event, while his other books were also on sale. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZIT5KJBUWOUFPQ4FS7U4GW3JPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=07afaad7bd073a862b3950142582caf50b85afced5408956937b74e2a6f9d516&width=400&height=225)
Paintings of some of the region's greatest authors were located in the outdoor area of the 2021 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L5NQDYRYHWASWRYNIJRQHKBYMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e314b1ed7e703d431a9bfb00d1bb5b1e91598476c761c79f32658e2ea575105d&width=400&height=225)
Magrudy's had its usual book store at the event. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LZMEZIWRZ2CM3MQX6WSS7BEU54.jpg?smart=true&auth=11c18551bd3df5845930ff9801b65da21ba8a1530b29352c143cc1d15a57118a&width=400&height=225)
Organisers took a hybrid approach to the event, adding both in-person and virtual sessions to the schedule. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BC45442XHCOEKSD6ZN5X7HO7YY.jpg?smart=true&auth=260bd4c8d10390422d3035e9ef1374a18017e555e74cf61b15291569f21e0521&width=400&height=225)
There were fewer visitors than in past years because of the coronavirus pandemic. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMCSIEHMO2Y3FN6GN73UL7F66M.jpg?smart=true&auth=db50716de2eacd77e5179c3de86e2dc7dbb6c3156b447e18a9c6250a3562c350&width=400&height=225)
Strict safety measures were put in place to keep visitors, authors and organisers safe. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AQAMXKJ6IZ3ZSU33RMHLXWHZCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a30fa95dc7a8e33608376ffcec16fde06e2088d0f56f5c9a11f501130c82337a&width=400&height=225)
Book signings were cancelled. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CMMZNEQKQOR42NXSRB5B7J4YWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=85f40f90c150dd94045408ddcff9c1cd5da37d85c1ee11ad4097e7a4b9647c56&width=400&height=225)
All visitors and staff had to wear face masks as per the Dubai law. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C5D7XKZAZAFA25XWYXQ4YM6WJA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ce8bb401aebb08a1c75fbf7b0be34ecf14119e325fb3f79a827c17d4522740f&width=400&height=225)
There were stalls inside and pavilions outside the InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJOB4SVSVL5RPDE4IXKTOHPKHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3dfef225ccf4adfbea9f5a3afd0b89fa0a651264d30f11998effa933dd1399e3&width=400&height=225)
People could head to the event or tune in from home to watch the virtual sessions. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZIULLAEND6GPKXANK77BA5NZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=78ab4d6453ece288554576e2966b1c564c0634c0c2935dc9ae01ef3ca4e3f7be&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid launched a new children's book at the event, while his other books were also on sale. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZIT5KJBUWOUFPQ4FS7U4GW3JPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=07afaad7bd073a862b3950142582caf50b85afced5408956937b74e2a6f9d516&width=400&height=225)
Paintings of some of the region's greatest authors were located in the outdoor area of the 2021 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L5NQDYRYHWASWRYNIJRQHKBYMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e314b1ed7e703d431a9bfb00d1bb5b1e91598476c761c79f32658e2ea575105d&width=400&height=225)
Magrudy's had its usual book store at the event. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LZMEZIWRZ2CM3MQX6WSS7BEU54.jpg?smart=true&auth=11c18551bd3df5845930ff9801b65da21ba8a1530b29352c143cc1d15a57118a&width=400&height=225)
Organisers took a hybrid approach to the event, adding both in-person and virtual sessions to the schedule. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BC45442XHCOEKSD6ZN5X7HO7YY.jpg?smart=true&auth=260bd4c8d10390422d3035e9ef1374a18017e555e74cf61b15291569f21e0521&width=400&height=225)
There were fewer visitors than in past years because of the coronavirus pandemic. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMCSIEHMO2Y3FN6GN73UL7F66M.jpg?smart=true&auth=db50716de2eacd77e5179c3de86e2dc7dbb6c3156b447e18a9c6250a3562c350&width=400&height=225)
Strict safety measures were put in place to keep visitors, authors and organisers safe. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AQAMXKJ6IZ3ZSU33RMHLXWHZCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a30fa95dc7a8e33608376ffcec16fde06e2088d0f56f5c9a11f501130c82337a&width=400&height=225)
Book signings were cancelled. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CMMZNEQKQOR42NXSRB5B7J4YWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=85f40f90c150dd94045408ddcff9c1cd5da37d85c1ee11ad4097e7a4b9647c56&width=400&height=225)
All visitors and staff had to wear face masks as per the Dubai law. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C5D7XKZAZAFA25XWYXQ4YM6WJA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ce8bb401aebb08a1c75fbf7b0be34ecf14119e325fb3f79a827c17d4522740f&width=400&height=225)
There were stalls inside and pavilions outside the InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJOB4SVSVL5RPDE4IXKTOHPKHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3dfef225ccf4adfbea9f5a3afd0b89fa0a651264d30f11998effa933dd1399e3&width=400&height=225)
People could head to the event or tune in from home to watch the virtual sessions. Leslie Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZIULLAEND6GPKXANK77BA5NZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=78ab4d6453ece288554576e2966b1c564c0634c0c2935dc9ae01ef3ca4e3f7be&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid launched a new children's book at the event, while his other books were also on sale. Leslie Pableo / The National
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2021 might not be as busy, but it's every bit as engaging
The National reports from the event, which looks very different this year because of the pandemic
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
07 February, 2021
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