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 1

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

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

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UAE squad

Men’s draw: Victor Scvortov and Khalifa Al Hosani, (both 73 kilograms), Sergiu Toma and Mihail Marchitan (90kg), Ivan Remarenco (100kg), Ahmed Al Naqbi (60kg), Musabah Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Hosani (66kg)

Women’s draw: Maitha Al Neyadi (57kg)

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.

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE and Russia in numbers

UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years

Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018

More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE

Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE

The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023

Dubai World Cup prize money

Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic – $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile – $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf –  $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000

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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

The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi

Total funding: Self funded

Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin

Favourite film: Marvel movies

Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence

if you go

The flights

Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com

Seeing the games

Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com

 

Staying there

Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com

 

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