Yesterday I posted about Geraldine Bedell's novel, The Gulf Between Us. Organizers of Dubai's inaugural International Festival of Literature banned the book, which is set against the Iraq war, because of a storyline involving a gay character — a sheikh with an English boyfriend.
Writer Margaret Atwood, who was set to attend the festival, pulled out because of the decision, and posted a statement on her website:
"Dear Isobel Abulhoul; It is with great regret that I inform you that I cannot attend this year's Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature in Dubai. I know you have put an enormous amount of work into it, I can imagine how many difficulties have had to be overcome, and I am very sad about the regrettable turn of events surrounding The Gulf Between Us. I was greatly looking forward to the Festival, and to the chance to meet readers there; but, as an International Vice President of PEN — an organization concerned with the censorship of writers — I cannot be part of the Festival this year. I wish you much success. Perhaps in the future I will be able to attend."
Abulhoul, the festival director, called Atwood's decision "regrettable," saying, "In organising any literary festival… one has to take decisions regarding the target audience. Dubai has not changed its social norms, culture or laws…The ambition behind setting up the festival is fuelled by our heartfelt belief in actively engaging and helping to bridge the gap between East and West. I would hope that anyone informed and interested in the differing cultures around the world would both understand and respect the path we tread in setting up the first festival of this nature in the Middle East."
