Festival of Literature comes to Dubai - AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com can announce that an international celebration of reading and writing is set to take place at Dubai Festival City next month.

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is sure to bring book lovers flocking to Dubai hotels, with more than 100 authors from around the world scheduled to appear over the four days.

Taking place from March 10th to 13th, the festival will feature appearances from celebrated writers such as Martin Amis, Alexander McCall Smith, Yann Martel and Jacqueline Wilson.

Amis will be discussing his latest novel The Pregnant Widow, while Wilson is set to appear as part of the festival's special programme for children, which has been greatly extended for 2010.

Other highlights will include a musical session featuring Indian novelist Amit Chaudhuri and a discussion involving seasoned BBC broadcaster Kate Adie, who will share anecdotes from her career.

There will also be four sessions devoted to writers from the United Arab Emirates, including a section on the region's emerging novelists.

Festival director Isobel Abulhoul highlighted the diversity of the event programme.

"The festival's line-up includes something for everyone - stimulating workshops, readings, entertainment, chill-out zones, a children's activity area and a free fringe festival showcasing local talent," she said.

Tickets for the festival are now on sale and start at 39 dirhams (£6.80).