Emirates Airline Festival Of Literature 2026 To Feature Renowned Authors And Diverse Discussions

The Emirates Literature Foundation recently unveiled the programme for the 2026 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. This event took place at the Theatre of Digital Art in Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The morning was dedicated to celebrating shared stories and the human journey through Emirati traditions. The festival, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is scheduled from 21-27 January 2026 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City.

The festival will feature a VIP panel celebrating the book ‘Life Taught Me’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Notable authors attending include RF Kuang, Ruth Ware, Samantha Shannon, Ezzat Elkamhawi, Omar Taher, Dr. Shahla Ujayli, Rachel Clarke, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Curtis Jobling, Ali Al Mazmi, Plestia Alaqad, Big Manny, MC Grammar, and Asma Khan. Returning favourites include Shamma Al Bastaki and Oyinkan Braithwaite.

Emirates Airline and Dubai Culture are key supporters of the festival. Boutros Boutros from Emirates highlighted the event's role in showcasing regional talent and creativity. Dubai Culture supports two strands: ‘Bil Emirati,’ celebrating Emirati creatives, and ‘Translation,’ which promotes cultural exchange through translation. The Literary Luminary Prize will honour Emirati storytellers who inspire young creatives.

Distinguished Attendees and Authors

Prominent figures expected at the LitFest include Reem Al Hashimy, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, HE Omar Saif Ghobash, Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Sultan Sooud AlQassemi, Dr Sultan Al Amimi, and Ibrahim Al Thahli. Renowned authors such as Shihab Ghanem and Nadia Al Najjar will also be present. The children's genre will feature Hessa Almehairi and Maitha Al Khayat among others.

Dubai Culture's Strategic Partnership

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi from Dubai Culture expressed pride in their partnership with the festival. She noted its role in enriching Dubai’s cultural landscape and supporting a knowledge-driven economy. The collaboration aims to empower emerging voices and strengthen cultural industries like publishing and translation.

Celebrating Arab Awards and Prizes

The LitFest will honour renowned Arab awards such as the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation centenary celebration. The Sheikh Zayed Book Award marks its 20th anniversary with a special dinner. The Saif Ghobash Banipal Translation Prize will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an award winners’ dinner.

Festival App for Seamless Experience

A new app offers visitors a seamless experience from booking to check-in. Users can personalise their itinerary in an eco-friendly way with reminders and special offers all in one place.

Diverse Programme Strands

The festival features over 200 sessions categorised into strands like State of Now for bold thinkers; How To for practical wisdom; Fantastic Fiction for storytelling; Writers’ Corner for storytellers; LitFest Families for younger audiences; and LitFest After Hours for unique experiences.

Special Experiences Await Visitors

Visitors can enjoy unique experiences like An Ode Tae Robbie Burns with Scottish poets or Desert Stanzas featuring storytellers and performers. Ticket prices start at AED50 with passes available for flexible access to events.

Foundation Friends enjoy exclusive perks like discounts on tickets and priority booking. Non-members can avail early-bird discounts from 25 November to 28 December 2025.

Almost 200 speakers from 40 nationalities are confirmed for the festival including Aarvi Paleja, Abdelouahab Aissaoui, Abdulaziz Al Musallam among many others listed alphabetically in the lineup.

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature continues to inspire curiosity while fostering connections through reading and storytelling as highlighted by Ahlam Bolooki of Emirates Literature Foundation: "In a world that can feel divided or distracted... pause, read, rediscover what unites us."

With inputs from WAM