A dazzling month of literary events and awards has demonstrated, beyond all doubt, that love for the written word is undimmed in the UAE. On April 18, Philip Kennedy, a professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies at
NYU Abu Dhabi, won a Sheikh Zayed Book Award, for his examination of the Arabic narrative. In an interview with The National, Kennedy expressed his joy, not simply at the recognition of his work, but also at the direct association the award brings to Sheikh Zayed. Kennedy's acclaimed academic work focuses on the "recognition scene" in Arabic literature – the moment when a character moves from ignorance to knowledge. What better analogy is there for the wonders of reading itself?
Kennedy's victory coincided with the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, the Middle East's most diverse literary event and a reflection of the UAE's role as a driving force behind the regional publishing industry. Inaugurated 29 years ago by Sheikh Zayed, the event does not merely support publishers and authors but actively encourages a love of reading, while highlighting the UAE's rich heritage and culture. This is a different type of book fair, one designed to foster an Arabic cultural renaissance. So too does the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, scooped this year by its first female winner, Hoda Barakat for her novel, The Night Mail, which delves deep into the human experience. This year the shortlist was majority female, in recognition of the role women are playing in the growth of the Arab literary scene.
Meanwhile, Sharjah will hold the accolade of Unesco World Book Capital until April 2020 – a reward for its ambitious plan to foster a culture of reading among its citizens. The UAE might be famed for its ultra-modern infrastructure, but
few nations are doing more to promote the printed word than the Emirates. In an unremittingly digital age, this is a truly impressive feat.
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
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PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
