Festival Programme
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Afikra Presents: Daftar
Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion to mark the launch of Daftar: Beginnings, the inaugural publication from afikra / عفكرة. Bringing together 14 original essays, Daftar explores the past, present and future of culture across the Arab world.
Named after the Arabic word for notebook, Daftar is conceived as a space for reflection, ideas and marginalia — a modest yet vital vessel for thought, dialogue and exchange. Aptly titled Beginnings, this first edition signals both a point of departure and a return: an act of reclaiming authorship over Arab narratives that have too often been fragmented, erased or told by others.
In this conversation, our speakers will explore the idea of origins across the Arab world — not as fixed moments in time, but as living, evolving forces. From cities layered with buried histories to enduring traditions of design and heritage, the discussion will consider how the past moves through us not as residue, but as momentum, shaping what comes next.
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Qafia: Poetry at the Heart of the Cultural Economy
Exploring the intersection of Arabic poetry and the cultural economy, Abdulaziz Al Marshad, Head of the "Qafia" platform, presents how a poem can become an artistic product and an interactive experience that connects poets with audiences. The talk discusses financial sustainability models and empowering creators, while posing key questions about preserving authenticity within a modern market and what success means in the creative economy
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50.00 AED
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Liam Kelly: Every Child Deserves a Story
Join author and educator Liam Kelly, creator of William – The Story Written in My Head, for a session on representation in children’s books. He shares how inclusive stories build empathy, self-belief, and wellbeing, with tips for parents.
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50.00 AED
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Marjorie Lotfi: The Poet's Table
Kick off your morning with breakfast at The Poet's Table, an interactive roundtable led by celebrated poet Marjorie Lotfi. Explore dynamic works from this year's Festival poets and be inspired to craft your own verses.
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100.00 AED
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Poetic Commandments
A poetry evening with Aloush Alswait and Dai Rahmi celebrating words that bring comfort and illuminate your path. They explore poetry as a faithful friend and a beauty that opens the door to salvation.
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50.00 AED
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+971: Emirati Creatives Shaping the UAE
Meet the visionaries reshaping and redefining the UAE’s cultural and creative landscape, including artists, designers, and innovators featured in +971, along with its editor Myrna Ayad.
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50.00 AED
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Taste of Home
Thousands of stories hide in the corners of homes. How has the house appeared in literature and human memory? In a delicate conversation, Dr Shahla Ujayli, and Omer Taher take us on a journey that pierces through walls toward the light.
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50.00 AED
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The Future of Arabic-English Translation
A session with Marilyn Booth and Professor Yasir Suleiman exploring the future of Arabic–English translation as a cultural bridge and the challenges of preserving the soul of Arabic literature for global readers.
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Joanna Barakat: Narrative Threads
Join Joanna Barakat as she explores how Palestinian embroidery, also known as tatreez, has become a contemporary visual language across art forms, documenting heritage, resistance, and identity
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50.00 AED
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