Rowda bint Mohammed: Our aim is to instil a passion for literature

ABU DHABI- Held under the patronage of Sheikha Rowda bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, the Sea of Culture’s Book Salon is back for the 2nd consecutive year, promoting literature and the arts in the U.A.E.. From 30th April until 5th May 2014, visitors will meet literary giants, hear their work and join the discussion in an open forum.

Sheikha Rowda bint Mohammed explained, “The Sea of Culture’s Book Salon is delighted to host this event and to have so many exceedingly talented international writers attend. Our aim is to instil a passion for literature, the arts and knowledge in the U.A.E., particularly for our nation’s women, as we strive to continuously improve and maintain an intellectual excellence within our society.” The Sea of Culture Foundation will showcase over 30 authors and poets. The Book Salon introduces the shortlisted authors of the coveted International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF). 

These celebrated writers will not only read excerpts of their outstanding works to the audience but also give an insight into their way of working on new novels and poetry, their inspirations for new material and give tips on how to successfully create a spellbinding narrative.

Kjell Epsmark, a writer and literary historian who sits on the committee for the Nobel Prize for Literature, will also share his work and the criteria he uses to choose writers who transcend their peers.

The Rainbow Troops, by Andrea Hirata, recalls childhood adversity and tells the moving yet hopeful tale of a child of poverty struggling to access education. This is the best-selling novel in Indonesia’s history and has been translated into 19 languages and adapted for film, television and a musical. 

Sheikha Rowda continued, “The Sea of Culture Foundation has proven effective in attracting all classes of women to literature, through engaging programmes and initiatives that promote the love of literature and the arts in our nation’s women. We at the Sea of Culture Foundation, are extremely delighted to be at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2014 as part of our commitment to develop the intellectual stature of our country. We look forward to further success this year and the years to come.” The 24th edition of the ADIBF 2014 runs at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from April 30th-1st May, with organisers Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority-WAM