Page 17 - MBRF PR REPORT - JUNE 2024

Press Release

The dialogue was moderated by Dr. Mounir Al Hayek, a Lebanese writer and novelist, with the

active involvement of participants who significantly added value to the discussion with their
questions and interventions. During the session, Tarek Imam presented a selection of stories that

received positive responses from the audience.

Furthermore, the Knowledge Lounge hosted two interactive sessions by joining hands with the

‘Dubai Narrator Forum’ featuring Rasha Adly and Dr. Al Hayek. The session comes in line with the
collaboration with reading clubs to promote reading and book discussions within the community

by ensuring the participation of authors, writers, and experts in literature and knowledge.

During the session, Rasha Adly highlighted the pivotal role of historical novels in the process of

documenting history. Furthermore, she pointed out the need for Arabic literature to study various
periods of Arab civilization acknowledging the region’s rich and diverse historical and cultural
heritage. The discussion further underscored the significance of the arts in shaping modern life

and enhancing human knowledge. The session also shed light on the significance of rejuvenating

and studying art and integrating it into different aspects of life as well as into the narratives found
in novels and books. The session was moderated by Dalia Abu Al Atta and Rola Al Banna.

Another panel discussion led by Shaza Shalak and Dr. Al Hayek explored the details of his book

titled ‘Barren Diaries’, published in 2023 by Arab Scientific Publishers in Beirut. During the

session, Dr. Al Hayek discussed various elements of his novel, such as its artistic elements and
main themes, shedding light on a wider literary framework of social novels. Furthermore, the
session included a question-and-answer session in which the audience was allowed to ask the

author about his writing process and share their interpretations and opinions. At the end of the

interactive session, Dr. Al Hayek autographed copies of his book for attendees.

As part of the Knowledge Lounge initiative, various sessions were hosted in different local and
international literary forums to explore different books and novels. During a session in Abu Dhabi,

novels including ‘Man's Search for Meaning’ and ‘The Language of Flowers’ were discussed. The

novel ‘The Language of Flowers’ written by American author Vanessa Diffenbaugh depicts the
story of a young girl who was initially raised in an orphanage before finding care through adoption.
Later, the protagonist discovers her passion for flowers while working at a flower shop. The