Taaleem support Emirates Airline Fourth

Festival of Literature 2012

Taaleem is joining the Boeing Readers' Cup and Story Writing Competition

to launch the Taaleem Poetry Award

New for the 2012 Festival is the Poetry Writing Competition, which we at Taaleem are proud to sponsor. The Taaleem Poetry Award has as its theme 'Who Am I, Who Are You?' chosen by Isobel Abulhoul, the Litfest Founder and Director, to reflect the overall Festival theme of 'Identity'.  As for the Story Writing Competition, all the winning entries will be published in an Arabic and English book.

"There is a strong mind meld between the LitFest and Taaleem as we both share a passion for the art of the written word.  We are very excited about partnering with the Festival and inspiring as many young people as possible," said Ziad Azzam, Chief Executive Officer, Taaleem.

Isobel Abulhoul, Litfest Founder and Director;

Ziad Azzam, CEO Taaleem

"Poetry lies at the heart of our cultural heritage and of course is the earliest form of Arabic literature. We are delighted to be developing a springboard for young people to find their own poetic voice through the newly created Poetry Award" he continued.

All the competitions are run in co-operation with schools and Isobel Abulhoul was keen to acknowledge the importance of schools and universities to the Literature Festival. "Our aim this year is to touch directly 20,000 young students. We have a core commitment to education and we are so appreciative of the support that we get from our educational community in embracing these competitions, as well as our Education Day, the Fringe programme and of course in encouraging young people to attend and participate at our sessions'" she concluded.

All the competitions are divided into age specific categories and entry submission competitions. To enter the Taaleem Poetry Award competition, please follow this link: Taaleem Poetry Award / Emirates Festival of Literature.

Winners will be honoured at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which takes place from 6th to 10th March 2012 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and in partnership with Emirate Airline and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).

"The whole LitFest team loves these competitions," said Isobel Abulhoul, Festival Director. "Our Festival is all about inspiring young people to tap into their inner creative voice and celebrate the written word.  It is immensely gratifying to see our dream of nurturing budding local talent turn into reality.  This year we have the additional treat of the poetry too.  This is perhaps particularly fitting as HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, himself a distinguished poet and writer, has done us the immense honour of becoming our patron."