A dedicated Youth Day designed to engage, inform and inspire the young generation of the GCC is one of the highlights of this year’s Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Open to all young people over 16, Youth Day takes place on Thursday 7 March 2019 at the Festival’s home, the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.

“This is an opportunity for young people to immerse themselves in new ideas, engage in thought-provoking conversations and be energised by our exceptional speakers. The youth are often the ones who question the aspirations and lifestyles of the generation that went before, while creating new definitions of success,” said Ahlam Bolooki, Festival Director. “The Youth Day programme will inspire and guide this reimagining of what their future should look like. We hope it will light that spark within them to aspire to become visionaries of the future.”

Sessions will include a fascinating discussion on how the achievements of the past can drive future development from two women who have spearheaded change. Dr Rafia Ghubash, the first qualified psychiatrist in the UAE, first woman president of the Arabian Gulf University and founder of the Dubai Women’s Museum will be in conversation with Isobel Abulhoul, founder of the Emirates Literature Foundation and the Festival, examining the powerful but often unacknowledged contribution of women to the development of the region. Dr Abdullah Al Maghlooth will talk about the positive influence of social media, and using motivating real-life stories, show how it can be harnessed to overcome obstacles and influence the world for good. Omar Saif Ghobash, former UAE Ambassador to Russia and acclaimed author of the bestselling Letters to a Young Muslim, will join former White House Director of Communications Jennifer Palmieri in a riveting and lively discussion on how to reach your goals and change your life for the better.

The fourth and final session of the day will be announced at a later date.

The day includes a buffet lunch and Youth Day ticket holders will be offered a 50% discount on tickets for the main Festival sessions of their choice that weekend, 8-9 March 2019. Students travelling from outside Dubai can take advantage of special offers at participating hotels, including Rove Hotels starting from AED 315 and many more. These start from AED 220 including tax at FORM hotel. For international students, there is a 25% discount on flydubai flights into the UAE.

As the Arab World’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, the Festival has a huge range of sessions led by best-selling authors and world-leading experts on literature, business, science food, history, and much more.

A Youth Day ticket costs AED 175 (Foundation Friends AED 158), to include the four Youth Day sessions, buffet lunch, and 50 per cent discount on six main Festival sessions. Limited tickets are available.

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature runs from 1-9 March 2019. It is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
For the full list of authors, visit emirateslitfest.com/authors

More information about the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature can be found online. The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will take place 1-9 March 2019. Fans can keep up to date with #DubaiLitFest action on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and year-round news of #ELFDubai on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.