Dubai Culture and Emirates Airline Festival of Literature to present third edition of ‘Desert Stanzas’

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (LitFest) 2015, have once again teamed up to highlight the beauty of poetry with the second edition of ‘Desert Stanzas’ set to take place on March 5, 2015, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm under the desert sky.

‘Desert Stanzas’ brings world-class poetry, atmospheric music from the oud players, and unprecedented Emirati hospitality, for a mesmerising evening of poetry and traditional entertainment.

Featuring poetry recitations by some of UAE’s and the world’s foremost poets, this year’s ‘Desert Stanzas’ will feature appearances from Saif Al-Saadi, Mourid Barghouti, Imtiaz Dharker, Yang Lian,  Víctor Rodríguez Núñez, Owen Sheers and Lemn Sissay.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Desert Stanzas underlines our commitment to present a platform for literary enthusiasts to come together in a setting that is not only deeply inspiring but is also close to the heritage and culture of the Arab world. The desert has been the inspiration of great literature, and with Desert Stanzas, we are bringing accomplished poets from around the world to share their works of art and engage directly with the audience through their compelling recitation.”

Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Festival Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, said: “Desert Stanzas has become the landmark cultural event of the Festival, encompassing the heritage of Dubai and the beauty of the written word as it is presented in poetry. We are grateful to Dubai Culture & Arts Authority for their invaluable support with this event and look forward to the world’s top poets performing their poetry against the stunning desert dunes.”

A popular Emirati poet, Saif Al-Saadi is the host of the Mithaq literary salon (majlis) and editor of Jawaher magazine, which covers arts and literature in the Gulf. Saif’s love of poetry began in childhood and culminated in his becoming a distinguished poet in a special style of Nabati poetry. His poetry enjoys increasing popularity in the UAE and GCC.

Palestinian award-winning poet and author Mourid Barghouti is best-known for his two memoirs I Saw Ramallah and its follow-up I Was Born There, I Was Born Here.  At Desert Stanzas, Mourid will read from two collections: A Small Sun and Midnight.

Imtiaz Dharker is a poet, artist and documentary film-maker. With many collections of poetry to her name, and her poetry long-established on the English GCSE syllabus, she is a recipient of the Cholmondeley Award and the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Her latest collection is Over the Moon.

Yang Lian is an acclaimed poet whose works have been described as ‘MacDiarmid meets Rilke with Samurai sword drawn.’ He has published eleven collections of poems and his work has been translated into more than 20 languages. His collections include Where the Sea Stands Still, Lee Valley Poems, Riding Pisces and The Third Shore.

Additionally, guests will be treated to an inspirational story from a local speaker as they tell their story on how they used to depend on stars to travel from place to place. In addition to this visitors will have the chance to dress up in traditional Emirati clothing and will get to capture all the fun in a dedicated photo corner.

Visitors will also be able to experience Arabian heritage at its finest at the desert camp where the performances will be held. Public transport will be provided and will depart from the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City at 6pm; return transfer after the event included.