Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Announces Winners of Emirates NBD Poetry for All Competition

Dubai, 14 March 2021:  The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature celebrated students with a talent for poetry performance today, when the winners of Emirates NBD Poetry for All competition were honoured at a special awards ceremony at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). The first place winners in Arabic and English also repeated their winning performances on stage in front of an audience of parents, teachers, and VIPs. 

 

The Emirates NBD Poetry for All competition attracted more than 700 entrants, competing in Arabic or English across the two age group categories of the competition, 8-13 and 14-18. The students performed individual interpretations of favourite poems in several preliminary rounds, culminating in the grand finals. 

 

“Many things have changed since the winners of last year’s competition were announced, but the level of talent in the student population has, if anything, just increased. While we take every precaution to keep everyone safe, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate these talents in person today,” said Ahlam Bolooki, festival director for Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. “The Education Programme is a vital part of the work we do, and we are delighted to have been able to continue this work in spite of the pandemic. We look forward to growing our programme in the coming years, drawing on the lessons we have learned this year.” 

 

This is the fourth year that Emirates NBD has sponsored the competition. “The competition celebrates the Emirati tradition of poetry recital but this year it really had a modern edge as the students had to perform virtually,” said Moadh Bukhash, Chief Marketing Officer, Emirates NBD. “The students stepped up to the challenge magnificently and we were amazed by how confident they were in terms of performing in front of a camera. It was wonderful to see so many young people taking pride in their oratory skills and give us so many superb performances to enjoy.” 

 

List winners:

8 – 13 Age Category English

1. Christelle Zelia Carneiro – Abu Dhabi Indian School

2. Elijah Lluvi Caballero – St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Muhaisnah

3. Rohit Shibu – Gems United Indian School, Abu Dhabi

 

14 – 18 Age Category English 

1. Hayden Christian T. Villarico – United International Private School 

2. Mia Ghrayeb – Jumeirah College

3. Numa Gouher – International School of Arts and Sciences

 

 

8 – 13 Age Category Arabic

1. Abdulrahman Dirgham Shaaban – Greenfield International School

2. Joana Abu Ghanem – Al Mawakeb Private School, Al Barsha

3. Maha Ahmad Jark – Al Hikma Private School, Al Jarf

 

14 – 18 Age Category Arabic

1. Jana Tamer Issa – Deira International School  

2. Fatima Riyad Belhoul – Al Mawakeb Private School Al Khawaneej

3. Mohammad Issa Al Hammadi – Al Adwaa Private School

 

 

 The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will return in 2022.

 

The Festival is held with Founding Partners Emirates Airline and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated authority for heritage, arts, and culture. 

 

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.