
DUBAI: Emirates Literature Festival, Dubai’s biggest annual book festival, will host a special manga workshop as part of its various activities this year, giving readers a glimpse of Japanese culture.
The workshop will be presented by Emirati Manga artist Asmaa Al Remeithi and will take place on Feb. 1.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to be part of the Emirates Literature Festival this year,” the artist told Arab News Japan. “I’m most excited to connect with people who love storytelling, whether through books, art, or manga. Festivals like this are great for fostering conversations and sparking new ideas.”
The artist shared that the workshop will be accessible for artists of all levels, from beginners to advanced. “We will focus on the fundamentals of manga art, including expressions, storytelling, and creating dynamic characters,” Al Remeithi said.
“Participants should bring basic tools like pencils, erasers, and sketchbooks, but if they have markers or inking pens, they can bring those too,” she added.
The award-winning artist grew up interested in Japanese manga and took inspiration from different Japanese artists like Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the renowned manga ‘Naruto’.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the way manga combines intricate art with compelling storytelling. Growing up, manga gave me a window into unique characters and emotions that felt so real,” Al Remeithi told Arab News Japan.
Additionally, she has more than a decade of experience in the field and visited Japan in 2017 to study manga. “It was a life-changing experience. Immersing myself in the culture and learning directly from someone in the industry gave me a new perspective on manga as both art and storytelling,” she reflected.
She added that she believes that the manga community is growing in the GCC region. “It’s exciting to see so many talented individuals emerging.”
“There is a lot of passion and curiosity around manga in the GCC. People are embracing it not just as entertainment but as an art form that allows for cultural exchange and personal expression.” the artist added.
The manga artist is currently working on a manga exhibition in Russia that will highlight Emirati stories in a manga-inspired style. “I’m also developing a new series that blends local themes with the dynamic storytelling techniques found in manga,” Al Remeithi told Arab News Japan.
For those interested in picking up manga drawing, the artist recommends focusing on the basics. “Study manga that inspires you to understand how the artists convey emotions and tell stories visually. Dedication and consistency are key,” she shared.
The workshop will be conducted in Arabic and will take place at Festival City’s InterContinental Hotel at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost 50 AED and can be purchased on the festival’s website.