Dubai International Writers' Centre: A Literary Landmark

The Dubai International Writers’ Centre is crucial in promoting literature and culture around the UAE. The centre offers several activities for aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts, allowing them to flourish and better their knowledge in order to grow as writers. This unique place features indoor, outdoor and rooftop seating areas in order to allow creativity to flow in whatever environment the writers find best, as well as English and Arabic libraries and classrooms.

A Brief History

This literary centre is located in the Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai. The space is part of the Emirates Literature Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, as well as Ruler of Dubai in 2013. The intention of the foundation is to encourage passion for literature in people of all ages through special programs and activities focused in getting people more engaged with all kinds of writing. The centre offers workshops on anything from poetry to travel writing plus several reading groups for all tastes. This allows literature enthusiasts to share their love for the written word and further delve into their views and passion.

Activities

Dubai International Writers’ Centre is home to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, as well as other important awards to encourage literary love, such as The School Librarian of the Year Award and Awards for Outstanding Writers, given out during the UAE’s Month of Reading in March. This landmark also offers book launches and signings for both local and international writers, giving people the opportunity to meet their idols and get deeper into the literary scene. The space holds school events in order to encourage reading from a very young age as a way of nurturing creativity, in addition to writing competitions, such as the Taaleem Award Poetry Writing Competition and the Readers’ Cup Competition.

On a day-to-day basis, visitors can go in for creative writing classes, book clubs and workshops. This permits children and young adults to use their free time effectively, investing in their love for writing as well as bettering their techniques in order to one day become famous writers themselves. This honorable initiative has been helping spread the passion for literature around the United Arab Emirates by awarding successful writers, and teaching beginners in order to create a lifelong love for writing and reading.
House No. 290, Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood, Al Khaleej Rd, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 355 9844