Sheikha Latifa and other top dignitaries attend the ceremony of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai. WAM

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and member of The Executive Council of Dubai, attended the official ceremony of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (EAFOL) 2022.

Held under the theme “Here Comes the Sun,” the 2022 edition of the Festival features some of the biggest literary figures in the UAE and across the globe.

The official ceremony of the Festival began with the launch of the new publishing house ‘ELF Publishing LLC’ that was recently announced by the Emirates Literature Foundation in partnership with Dubai Culture as part of joint efforts to promote promising local talent. Writers participating in the Festival welcomed the new publishing initiative.

One of the world’s leading literary events, the Festival is being held at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City and Al Habtoor Palace Hotel from Feb.3-13.

Performers during the opening ceremony in Dubai. WAM

Sheikha Latifa highlighted the important role played by the event in supporting the development of Dubai’s and the UAE’s literary ecosystem. She underlined the Authority’s keenness to support such cultural events, which serve as a platform for creative talent to showcase their achievements and promote constructive cultural dialogue. She also praised the new publishing house initiative as an important step in strengthening the growth of the literary community and publishing sector as well as supporting the development of literary talent in the UAE.

She further highlighted the vital role of the Festival in nurturing local talent and creating forums for them to engage with international writers and intellectuals. Consistent with Dubai’s ethos of cultural inclusiveness, the Festival offers an invaluable opportunity for lovers of literature and culture to participate in enriching interactions between writers from the UAE and across the world who bring distinctive creative perspectives and literary voices, Sheikha Latifa said.

Children read books during the opening ceremony. WAM

The official ceremony was also attended by Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth; Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation; Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture; Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation; Ahlam Bolooki, Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature; Jennifer Malton, COO of the Emirates Literature Foundation; and a group of local and international writers. The official ceremony concluded with the beautiful voices and captivating melodies of the UAE Youth Choir, who began the event with the UAE national anthem and went on to perform a variety of lyrical pieces.