The anthology features stories from 22 award-winning young authors from the 2024 Voices of Future Generations for the Middle East competition, which I’m dismayed to admit I’ve not previously covered here on TNPS.
The fifth edition of the Young Voices of Arabia anthology has been launched at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which winds up today, 3 February.
The anthology features stories from 22 award-winning young authors from the 2024 Voices of Future Generations for the Middle East competition, which I’m dismayed to admit I’ve not previously covered here on TNPS, given my keen interest in getting young people writing. Do check out some of the books from past winners. Link below.
Speeches and Performances
Event host Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum expressed pride in the young storytellers, praising their talent and passion for protecting the planet. The ceremony featured readings by winning authors Lujain Wissam Al Halabi and Mohammed Hamdan Siddiqui, and a piano performance by Emirati musician Zayed Mohamed Al Zaabi.
Previous winners announced that round 6 of the competition is open for story submissions in Arabic or English from young writers aged 8 to 12. The 2025 edition introduces the Teacher Champion Awards to recognise educators’ efforts in inspiring young writers.
Ahlam Bolooki’s Remarks
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of Emirates Literature Foundation, highlighted the instrumental role of teachers in fostering creativity and sustainability in students and announced plans to formalise teacher recognition with a new award.
Published Anthology
The newly published anthology features professionally edited and translated stories from the 2024 competition, inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Competition Details
Children are invited to submit stories between 600 and 1,500 words, exploring hopes for a sustainable future and incorporating at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The Teacher Champion Awards celebrate educators who inspire the next generation of young writers, offering networking opportunities, professional development sessions, and cash prizes.
The Emirates Airline Literature Festival, organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation, ran 29 January through 5 February this year.
More about the anthology here.
More about the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature here.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed
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