Artists, thinkers, illustrators, writers sit up and take note. The full program for the spring #DubaiLitFest is now available online.

For Foundation Friends tickets will go on sale from the 10^th January and for members of the public ticket sales open 15^th January.

This year will mark the Emirates Airline Literature Festival 10^th year and the event will run from the 1^st-10^th March.

The program is packed full of author talks, workshops for all ages, and panel discussions. From the huge selection here are a few interesting events to look out for:

• 2^nd March at 14:00-15:00. A talk with Floella Benjamin – Author Floella talks about overcoming prejudice, confidence and breaking barriers. The talk is suitable for children from 9 years to adults.
• 3^rd March at 14:00-500. Author/ Illustrator Walid Taher asks who am I? In the talk with live illustrations "Seven Souls" he explores seven characters, the events and factors that make them who they are. Talk is in Arabic.
• 3^rd March at 18:00-19.30. A workshop for young people aged 12 – 18 years. How to Start your Comic with Gabriel Rodriguez.
• 6^th March at 20:00-22:00. An exciting poetry event at Dubai Opera – "for the Love of Words". An international group of poets perform! These include well-known names such as Khalid AlBudoor, Carol Ann Duffy, Afra Atiq.
• 8^th March at 20:00-21:00. Women writers and speaker come together in a panel to discuss the global movement towards gender equality.

Lastly, budding writers still have time to enter the Montegrappa Writing Prize. The prize has served as a platform for past winners to gain publishing contracts and launch their career as an author. Notable past winners include Karen Osman and Farzeen Ashik. Writers should have completed their entry by the 18^th January, so there is time.

For more details, information and to get those tickets once available visit the #DubaiLitFest website: https://www.emirateslitfest.com/