There have been 180 versions of the literary festival worldwide…

There’s more exciting news for Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s literary festivals, Hay Festival, is set to land in the UAE capital in February 2020.

Hay Festival originated in Wales three decades ago and has since been held in locations across the world 180 times.

The flagship UK festival attracts authors from around the globe, with speeches from some huge names in the literary world, so we’re sure we can expect much the same for the UAE version.

Running from February 24 to 27, the main part of the event will be held at the city’s cultural centre Manarat al Saadiyat, where it’ll play host to a number of critically acclaimed authors and industry thinkers. Other venues around Abu Dhabi will also host Hay Festival events over the four days.

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Embracing diversity, with literary minds from an array of backgrounds attending, there will be forums, discussions, readings and story-telling. Readings will be done in Arabic and English and all will be translated vice versa.

Renowned authors and thinkers who will be present at the Abu Dhabi literary festival will include Nobel Laureates Ahmed Galai and Shirin Ebadi, Lebanese novelist Hoda Barakat, winner of the 2019 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, and writers Adonis, Jokha Alharthi, Muhammed Hasan Alwan, Tishani Doshi, and many more.

It’s not the first time the festival has come to the Middle East, however, as it has previously taken place in Beirut back in 2010. Other countries hosting in 2020 include Croatia in June and Mexico in September.

Hay Festival, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, February 24 to 27. hayfestival.com/festivals

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