“Our students went to see Darren Shan at Education Day.  Our benchmark for success was seeing students who avoid reading at all cost, with their noses in his books, unwilling to stop reading.

The excitement and enthusiasm was contagious and electrifying.  I am confident that our involvement in this event has led a number of our students to achieve an “aha” moment in regards to reading.”

- Teacher who attended the 2010 Education Day

Education Day is a key element of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in which authors hold free sessions for schoolchildren and university students from across the UAE. From its inception in 2009, Education Day has brought students and authors together in ever increasing numbers.

The 2012 Emirates LitFest saw Education Day held at the InterContinental Hotel for the first time, with great success. The main event at the InterContinental featured Jacqueline Wilson, Andy Stanton, David Almond and Darren Shan and was attended by 3000 students, while 55 authors went out into schools and colleges to speak to a total of 9000 students aged four to twenty-one.

The principle behind Education Day is that coming face-to-face with authors fuels a lifelong love of words in children, inspiring them to embrace reading and writing. What we have also discovered is that the authors themselves – particularly those not used to addressing young people – find it an educational experience as well!

Details of the Education Programme for 2013 will be announced soon.