Page 72 - MBRF PR REPORT - JUNE 2024

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 Khor Fakkan 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 captivated. The sessions held in Amman, the capital city of Jordan, centered
on the book ‘The Blind Sinbad.’

The Knowledge Lounge is an initiative that seeks to include all categories of society in
interactive meetings and discussions with creative and intellectual talents from different

fields of knowledge. The key objective of the initiative is to draw from the experiences of

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/events-and-conferences/knowledge-lounge-convenes-
authors-and-readers-to-shape-the-literary-and-knowledge-landscape-in-the-arab-world-n8yrxikv