The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the hosting of the sixth edition of the 'Interactive Day for Reading Clubs', organized by a group of leading reading clubs in the country under the patronage of the 'Schools of Life' project. The event, taking place at the Safa Library for Arts and Design from April 2nd to 5th, aims to provide a creative, interactive environment that brings together literature enthusiasts and those interested in Arabic novels, encouraging constructive criticism and literary analysis. Held under the 'Library Dialogues' initiative, part of the Dubai Public Libraries umbrella, the event will feature nine sessions to discuss the novels on the shortlist for the 2026 International Prize for Arabic Fiction. These include 'The Origin of Species' by Ahmed Abdel Latif, 'The Nap' by Amin Zaoui, 'Above My Head, a Cloud' by Dada Ibrahim, 'Most of the River's Course' by Said Khatibi, 'The Seer' by Diaa Jubaili, and 'Mia's Absence' by Najwa Bourkhat. The event also contributes to preserving the country's cultural and intellectual achievements and enhancing the strength of its national cultural system. The program also includes a number of diverse critical and dialogue sessions with the participation of a select group of critics, writers, and heads of reading clubs. Iman Al Hammadi, Director of the Literature Department at Dubai Culture, stated that the 'Interactive Day for Reading Clubs' represents a significant milestone in the journey of spreading a culture of reading and enhancing its presence in society, as reading clubs have become an effective tool in elevating cultural awareness and building generations that are educated, cultured, and possess the ability to innovate, think critically, and achieve excellence. She added: 'Reading is the foundation for building societies; it is the bridge through which we cross to knowledge and communication with different cultures. The UAE, particularly Dubai, has established a model civilization to be emulated in rooting cultural values through its various reading initiatives.' She affirmed Dubai Culture's commitment through its diverse programs and events to support the National Reading Strategy 2016-2026, aimed at spreading a culture of reading in society, noting that the Interactive Day for Reading Clubs forms a vital space for cultural dialogue, exchanging visions, and enriching the community's knowledge base, bringing together a elite of writers, thinkers, poets, and media professionals to discuss the novels on the shortlist for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction and to envision the future of the literary product, which contributes to enhancing Dubai's position as a global hub for the creative economy.
