The International Festival of Literature of Emirates Airlines has concluded its 17th session, presenting the fifth group of the collector "Voices of Youth from the Arab Peninsula", featuring outstanding works by more than 20 writers who won the "Voices of Future Generations" competition in the region in 2024.
During the ceremony, the launch of the project was marked by a welcoming speech by Sheikh Hassan bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, envoy of the "Voices of Future Generations" initiative. The event was attended by more than 450 guests, writers from various countries, and seven young talents.
Sheikha Hassan bin Hamdan expressed pride in the talented children, who showed how literature can be combined with a deep interest in our planet. She supported the strengthening of young authors, urging them to read and support their work.
The event showcased excerpts from the works of the winners of the Layn and Mohammmed Al Khalabi competition in Arabic and English. Artist Zaid Al Zaabi performed a musical number, concluding the event.
The General Director of the Literature Foundation of the UAE and the artistic director of the Emirates Airlines Literary Festival praised the quality and innovation of the works presented by the "Voices of Youth from the Arab Peninsula" collective, highlighting the importance of the project.
The "Voices of Future Generations" initiative, officially supported by UNESCO under the guidance of Sheikh Hassan bin Hamdan, started in 2019 to promote sustainable development and support the Convention on the Rights of the Child through a children's creative competition.
It is noted that the submission of applications for the sixth session is still open for participation in Arabic and English for young writers from the Emirates aged from eight to twelve years old.
Additionally, a new category "Pioneers of Pedagogical Art" has been introduced to the current project for 2025, which aims to support the efforts of teachers inspiring young generations of writers and thinkers.
