The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues this weekend with over 50 sessions ranging from panel discussions, In Conversation sessions and book signings.
Emirati authors Reem Kamali and novelist Lulwah Al Mansouri will lead the Friday session, The Emirati Narrative Scene: The Rise of the Feminine Voice, at the Al Multaqa Literary Salon at 7.30pm.
The duo will shed light on the how the female protagonist has evolved in Emirati novels since the late 1970s — expect a range of leading Emirati writers to be part of the audience to exchange views.
The life and work of the Abu Dhabi Book Fair’s Personality of the Year, the 12th century Islamic scholar Ibn ‘Arabi, will be the first topic examined on Saturday in a 10am panel session at the salon.
And at 1pm the venue will host one of China’s biggest selling authors Mai Jai.
Known at home as the “father of war and espionage” Jai will discuss his three-decade career including his popular 2002 work Decoded, which won the Chinese State Book Award.
This year’s International Prize for Arabic fiction nominee, Algeria’s Najwa Binshatwan, will benefit from regional attention when she appears at the Author’s Corner on Saturday at 6.30pm to sign copies of her acclaimed work The Slave Pens.
• The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until May 2. For more details go to adbookfair.com
