Life
Women’s stories take centre stage at the Emirates Literature Festival.
The festival is taking place from Wednesday, January 31 to February 6, 2024 at the Intercontinental, in Dubai Festival City.
With a diverse lineup spanning Nobel Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai to bestselling Bridgerton author Julia Quinn, the festival has been a platform for women of various backgrounds to share their compelling tales.
Culinary and Literary Fusion:
Start your festival experience with a delightful blend of literature and gastronomy. Join 2017 MasterChef winner and gastroenterologist Saliha Mahmood Ahmed as she shares recipes from her bestselling cookbooks. Beyond the culinary journey, Saliha will discuss her post-MasterChef experiences, exploring the intersection of health and food while emphasizing the significance of cooking with love and passion.
Trailblazing Conversations:
Booker Prize-winning novelist Bernardine Evaristo and award-winning poet Claudia Rankine engage in a groundbreaking conversation about their illustrious careers. Reflecting on their experiences, they shed light on the challenges and triumphs that have marked their paths, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about women’s roles in literature and society.
Impactful Advocacy:
In a special event hosted by Emirates Literature Foundation Director/CEO Ahlam Bolooki, trailblazing women such as Trinidadian-British actress Baroness Floella Benjamin and Iceland’s First Lady Eliza Reid share insights into contributing to causes that ignite their passion. The discussion emphasizes the importance of daily actions in shaping the future, echoing Gloria Steinem’s powerful perspective on movements.
Crossing Borders in Literature
Aanchal Malhotra’s debut novel, “The Book of Everlasting Things,” weaves a tale of forbidden love against the backdrop of the Partition. This compelling narrative explores arbitrary borders, the collision of faiths, and the impact of a nation’s parting. Malhotra emerges as a bold storyteller, offering a fresh voice from India that captivates readers with its depth and resonance.
Fashioning Stories:
Designer Marc Jacobs once noted that “clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them.” In a not-to-be-missed event, Emirati artist Azza Al Qubaisi, Cartier descendant Francesca Cartier Brickell, and luxury shoe brand founder Sophia Webster discuss the profound stories embedded in fashion. From tradition to elegance, the conversation unveils the narratives we wear through our clothing choices.
The Emirates Literature Festival continues its legacy of providing a platform for women to share their stories, reinforcing the idea that these narratives are not just stories but powerful testaments to the strength, resilience, and diversity of women around the world.
