Living in Al Ain means you're a fair distance from the capital and the coastline. But that doesn't mean you're cut off from culture. Kitab has made sure of this by organising Al Ain Reads Book Show, held today until Saturday. Now in its third year, a whole host of new features has been added to make sure you take part and to help spread a love of books and reading.
Connecting culture
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is one of the UAE's major literary events, firmly placed on every book lover's calendar each spring. Kitab, ADIBF's organiser, wanted to make sure Al Ain doesn't miss out on the literary wares of the main event, despite its proximity to the capital.
"We wanted to bring the promotion of literature and the opportunity to meet writers, poets and publishers to people in Al Ain, and really bring a taste of the ADIBF to this part of the country," says Marianne Kennedy, the cultural programme manager at Kitab.
"Our main goal is to bring literature to the people, to encourage young kids in particular to read and really get a sense of how wonderful reading is, to let people meet authors and have direct contact with books and storytelling," she adds.
Reading, writing, reciting
Writers and bookish types from almost every genre will be speaking at the show; from novelists, poets and storytellers, to journalists, publishers and essayists. Works by local Emirati writers will be heavily featured at the show, along with Arabic works by UAE-based expatriate writers.
"The UAE Writers' Union … holds a strong vision to promote literature and encourage literary events in the UAE and the region. This leads to a healthy, strong, literary scene that's growing now, which is very encouraging," Kennedy says.
This year, audience participation is being encouraged through an open mic session, where anyone can brave the stage with their poetry in any language; in a separate session, schoolchildren will have the opportunity to read out their favourite poems or poems they have composed themselves. Q&A sessions will also be held after every event or presentation and audience members are encouraged to comment. Other cultural activities held in special "corners" include calligraphy demonstrations and workshops, art and handicrafts and the owner of a newly opened second-hand bookshop in Al Ain will also be speaking. In a special session, Al Rewayat Book Club members have been given a great opportunity to interview the Booker-longlisted author Nasser Iraq about his novel Taj Al Hudud.
Book launches
Art and literature have always been closely related, which is why this year's book launches are presented by a new partner, Abu Dhabi Art. To be launched through Ayyam Gallery and Meem Gallery, the two book launch titles will be announced at the show. Charles Pocock of the Meem Gallery is set to attend. The publisher Kuttub - which is also supporting the Show this year - will also be launching two titles, also to be announced at the show.
Swap shop
Back by popular demand is the book exchange, where you can take a used book and pick up another for free. The exchange will be held on Friday and Saturday and Arabic and English books in "fairly" good condition are accepted.
"We want to promote that reading is the key to emancipation; it makes strong citizens of the world and it opens your mind so much," Kennedy says.
Al Ain Reads runs daily from today until Saturday. Open daily from 9am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, except Friday 5pm-10pm, at the Al Ain Convention Centre, Hall 1
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About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Don't get fined
The UAE FTA requires following to be kept:
- Records of all supplies and imports of goods and services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents related to receiving goods or services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents issued
- Records of goods and services that have been disposed of or used for matters not related to business
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
UAE SQUAD
UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
