VIDEO: Isobel Abulhoul on books, technology, Arab authors & literature festival

“What has been so incredible for me is how many world class speakers are also writers and these are the movers and shakers of government policy, of trips to Mars, you name it, they are here”.

This is how Isobel Abulhoul, the CEO and Trustee of Emirates Literature Foundation and Festival Director, described the World Government Summit in Dubai last week, speaking exclusively to Al Arabiya English.

As the Emirates Festival of Literature is just round the corner, she understandably got talking on the herculean task of organizing the event, scheduled for March 1-10.

Arab authors and students

Isobel expressed her views on the larger subject of book vs technology and described how her foundation, and the festival, are making efforts to provide a platform for Arabic writers and even students across the Arab world.

“We want students from around the Arab world to benefit as much as possible from the amazing speakers we have at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. We are actively trying to encourage as many as many young people as possible,” she said.

“I turn to books all the time. I love technology but my heart is probably grounded in physical books,” she said. The 10th edition of the festival will have 200 sessions showcasing 180 bestselling authors and numerous panel discussions and workshops for adults and children.