Page 76 - MBRF PR REPORT - JUNE 2024

6/14/24, 11:00 AM Knowledge Lounge convenes authors and readers to shape the literary and knowledge landscape in the Arab world - Middle East…
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.’

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