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Each of the 39 selected writers must be under the age of 39 and have at least one printed publication to their name. They will be selected by a panel of judges made up of academics, journalists and writers specialised in the region, however, the organisation also welcomes nominations from the public on their website, http://www.hayfestival.com/beirut39/index.aspx?skinid=6. The final group will be announced in September 2009 and the decision followed by media events, radio programmes, articles and readings designed to promote the artists. The Festival will fully kick off in March 2010 when the Beirut literary diary will be full of discussions, readings and lectures. All events are open to the public and followed by Q and A sessions, so take this opportunity to be at the very heart of the new wave of Arab writers, the issues they're dealing with and the ideas they're expressing.