Rupert Hawksley
Rupert Hawksley
Journalist


Kingsā€™ Gallery, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Getty
A year on: The art and artefacts saved from Notre-Dame fire

This stunning piece of medieval Gothic architecture was hit by a devastating fire a year ago today

April 15, 2020, 11:12 AM
Author Irvine Welsh. Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images
Irvine Welsh: I've written betterĀ booksĀ than 'Trainspotting'

The Scottish author tells 'Books of My Life' about the book he wishes he'd written and why 'Trainspotting' is not his best novel

December 11, 2019, 12:43 PM
The National's Rupert Hawksley picks the top 20 novels of the decade
Our pick of the 20 best novels of the decade

From Hilary Mantel's 'Bring up the Bodies' to Ahmed Saadawi's 'Frankenstein in Baghdad', we select the 20 best novels published in the past 10 years

December 08, 2019, 8:39 AM
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Thomas/Shutterstock (10011336q) Opera Singer, Sir Bryn Terfel, arrives to perform on 'The Andrew Marr Show' at the BBC Studios. The Andrew Marr Television Show, London, UK - 02 Dec 2018
Bryn Terfel: 'I have to pinch myself to think how lucky Iā€™ve been'

The Welsh opera singer talks to 'Books of My Life' about ignoring the bullies at school, moving to London as a young man and his global success on the stage

December 08, 2019, 5:50 AM
Kindles mayĀ have many advantages, but can they ever replace the joy of a real book? EPA
The Great Debate:Ā Are Kindles better than books?

One bibliophile thinks they take away all the joy of bookshops, while another is swayed by the practicalities of the device

November 30, 2019, 6:17 AM
Ayesha Al MansooriĀ with her daughter and keen falconer, Osha Khaleefa Al Mansoori. Photo: Victor Besa for The National
What falconry can teach us about diplomacy and feminism

A new course at NYU ā€“ Abu Dhabi is using falconry to teach students about everything from art history to heritage and the role of women in society

November 28, 2019, 11:44 AM
Mary Beard
Mary Beard: 'I will never sell Germaine Greer down the river'

The classicist and television presenter speaks to 'Books of My Life' about her childhood reading habits, 'Jane Eyre' and why she'll always defend Germaine Greer

November 27, 2019, 1:50 PM
A reconstruction of a Stone Age house on Marawah IslandĀ from the first episode of 'History of the Emirates'
'History of the Emirates' review: a visual retelling of an ancient past

This new series offers stories about the Emirates you may never have imagined possible

November 25, 2019, 5:29 AM
The five-part series tells the story of the history of the UAE across thousands of years. Image Nation Abu Dhabi /Atlantic Productions
'History of the Emirates' launches on TV networks worldwide

Image Nation Abu Dhabi CEO Michael Garin talks about what it took to create the definitive documentary

November 24, 2019, 3:44 PM
Dubai Abulhoul with a copy of 'Um Hailan', which she launched at the Sharjah International Book Fair. CourtesyĀ Kalimat Group
The Emirati children's author reviving the tradition of jinn

Dubai Abulhoul has given a number of Emirati jinn a different story, in order to remind children about the 'importance of tolerance'

November 23, 2019, 12:30 PM
Ā Hayy: Creative Hubb will be a three-storeyĀ development with open, internal courtyards surrounded by shaded terraces and walkways. Courtesy: Art Jameel
What Saudi's first indie movie theatre will look like

The winning design features a 200-seat auditorium, an additional community screening room and an audiovisual library

November 20, 2019, 10:55 AM
'The Wounded Achilles' (1825) by Italian artist Filippo Albacini is on display as part of 'Troy: Myth and Reality' at the British Museum in London. EPA
Syrian performer condemns BP's British Museum sponsorship

Reem Alsayyah is one of 13 refugees in 'Queens of Syria', a film included in 'Troy: Myth and Reality' at the British Museum

November 20, 2019, 9:28 AM
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - [DATE]: Ian Rankin at Charlotte Square Gardens on August 16, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Robbie Jack - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Ian Rankin: 'I'm fonder of Rebus than he would be of me'

The Scottish novelist speaks to 'Books of My Life' about Inspector Rebus, Lee Child and why he has never read Agatha Christie

November 20, 2019, 5:07 AM
David Webb Musuem fellowĀ TalaĀ NassarĀ studied art and art history at NYU Abu Dhabi. NYU Abu Dhabi
NYUAD launches unique fellowship to help cultivate future curators

The David Webb Museum Fellowship will provide an Arabic-speaking alumni from NYU Abu Dhabi with the chance to curate exhibitions and work with scholars at the university

November 18, 2019, 6:28 AM
A work by Ramin Haerizadeh inside Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde, one of the galleries atĀ Alserkal Avenue. Antonie Robertson / The National
Why we need more critique of the UAE's art scene

A robust arts ecosystem needs to be judged by robust standards and we must all take part

November 17, 2019, 11:00 AM