This UAE Poetry Competition Aims to Include People with Disabilities

One of the themes at this year’s Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is diversity, and it’s a suitable theme when we reflect upon the landscape of the UAE and those living here. Of course, when discussing diversity it is not only a person’s nationality, background and interests at play – but their abilities and determination.

Which is why, for 2018, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will once again hold their ‘Poetry for All’ competition… But for the first time, will include a non-competitive category for students and individuals with disabilities in Dubai and the UAE.

The poetry performance competition has become an annual event on student and school calendars across the UAE. For this year’s, Emirates NBD will be sponsoring the competition, which will be held during the 2018 festival dates, between the 1st and 10th March.

“We are delighted to partner with Emirates NBD to expand the opportunities this competition can offer for young people in the UAE”, said Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

“Every year we are amazed by passionate poetry recitals from students during the semi-finals and final rounds, and we cannot wait to see the performances in the new category.

“Providing a platform for students of all abilities to showcase their creativity seems a fitting way to celebrate the 10th festival and all that we have achieved so far.”

The ‘Poetry for All’ competition has grown from strength to strength over the years, and this year has received a significant increase in the number of entries – the highest in its history.

The competition is currently underway, with the semi-final rounds taking place in school and the final round will be held during the festival on 7th March.

Held in Arabic and English, the competition is divided into two age categories to encompass both primary and secondary school students. Each participant is evaluated on their interpretation of their selected poems, as well as their performances.

Read more: https://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/education/learning-support/client/uae-poetry-competition-aims-to-include-people-disabilities