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6/19/24, 10:44 AM Knowledge Lounge Convenes Authors And Readers To Shape The Literary And Knowledge Landscape In The Arab World - Middl…
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 session explored how

the author of this novel skillfully adopted a descriptive writing style to portray the challenges and
various other turns of events the lead character encounters.

Meanwhile, the book titled ‘Teach Your Child How to Think’ was a key topic of discussion in both
Sharjah and Ajman, and the book ‘The Alienation of Al Qafar’ was discussed in Ras Al Khaimah. During
the session held in Fujairah, the novel ‘Al Bagh’ was discussed, and the KhorFakkan session

highlighted the story ‘A Mask, the Color of the Sky.’ Furthermore, the session held in Al Ain explored the
thought-provoking themes of the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’. The philosophical reflections about
human existence and the mysteries of the soul are highlighted in the novel, which keeps the audience

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