The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the region’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word and the UAE’s most prominent literary event, will take place at the InterContinental Hotel Festival City from January 31 to February 6, with a lineup of 160 events.

The festival will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.

In its upcoming 16th edition, the Emirates LitFest is expected to spark creativity and innovation by bringing together some of the most renowned writers and thinkers from around the world. The event will serve as an open space for culture and literature, introducing new events and experiences such LitFest Afterhours, Discovery Talks, LitFest Families and Youth Day.

As the journey of creativity knows no bounds, the enjoyment and enrichment persist into the late hours of the festival evenings. The event space undergoes a transformation into lively celebrations featuring live performances, entertaining events, and thrilling activities. The celebration of literature and culture extends beyond books, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in exploratory talks, attend inspiring public lectures, and gain unique insights into vibrant contemporary topics.

 The Emirates LitFest welcomes top storytellers and children’s illustrators from across the UAE and the world, offering young book enthusiasts an exhilarating weekend filled with excitement and adventure. From dragons and superheroes to little spies and enchanting poetry, every reader from schools and universities will have an exceptional opportunity to discover the literary treasures they long for.

Additionally, participants can engage in meaningful dialogues, embark on imaginative adventures, and foster creative thinking during the “Youth Day” – a day brimming with events tailored for inquisitive minds hungry for knowledge. The Youth Day will discuss various topics, including artificial intelligence, literature, business, and sustainability, with a primary emphasis on Arab culture.

This year’s edition will host a distinguished group of writers, intellectuals, and creative people, most notably HE Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE’s Minister of State for Youth, 2023 Booker Prize-winner, Paul Lynch, author of the ‘Prophet Song’, and Booker Prize-winning author and President of the Royal Society of Literature, Bernardine Evaristo.

The exciting line-up also includes UAE astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori, BookTok sensation Curtis Sittenfeld, Rebecca Yarros, author of Fourth Wing, and award-winning translator Anton Hur. Also among the speakers is Sophia Webs, the renowned shoe and accessories designer and author of “Oh My Gosh, I Love Your Shoes!”, among many others.

A highlight of the festival will be a special event, Without Hope We Are Lost, an evening of poetry and performance dedicated to the life and work of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, and a world-first conversation between Booker Prize-winning novelist Bernardine Evaristo and poet, essayist and playwright Claudia Rankine.

The audiences will be treated to a special closing to the big LitFest weekend with the first ever regional TikTok Book Awards and a concert by beloved Emirati musician, Rashed Al Nuaimi. 

Speaking about the iconic literary event, Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Managing Director of ELF Publishing said: “It is my pleasure and honour to elevate the UAE’s cherished literary festival to unprecedented heights. This is a new era for books, reading, and storytelling, and we are poised to lead the charge. Our innovative events and groundbreaking partnerships with trend-setting collaborators reflect our commitment to shaping a literary landscape that resonates with the pulse of our audience.”

The week-long event will host a series of book launches including ‘Out of This World’ by Dr Sultan Al Neyadi. The upcoming publication by ELF Publishing is a photo journal of the recently appointed Minister of Youth’s 6-month visit to space.

The book takes readers on an adventure to explore the breathtaking beauty of the universe from the vantage point of the International Space Station but also grants a rare insight into the personal reflections and impressions of the astronaut. The book will be launched at a session titled ‘Out of This World: Sultan Al Neyadi’, slated to take place on February 3.

Badr Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Africa said: “Much like travel, storytelling in any art form has the power to transcend borders and introduce new and diverse cultures. The new additions to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature’s line-up will not only enhance the event but will enrich the city’s position as a flourishing art and culture hub year-round. Emirates remains committed to connecting with global communities through art, music and literature that enrich the lives of people.”

Dr Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, expressed the Authority’s pride in its strategic partnership with the festival, through which it enriches the local cultural scene, contributes to building a knowledge and innovation-based economy, and enhances the strength of the emirate’s cultural and creative industries.

“The festival, patronized by Dubai Culture since 2009, has played a significant role in nurturing a creative environment that supports local talents, showcasing their diverse productions to the community by providing them with opportunities to connect with global thinkers and writers, fostering a positive impact on the local cultural scene and empowering the cultural movement in Dubai,” Bin Kharbash said.

Bin Kharbash added: “The ‘Bil Emirati’ strand, sponsored by Dubai Culture, seeks to highlight the experiences of Emirati writers and authors, in line with the Authority’s efforts to support and encourage their participation in various literary and cultural events globally, enabling them to express their different perspectives and opinions. We are also renewing our support of exporting Emirati and UAE-based literary talents and authors to international literary festivals. Through our partnership with the Emirates Literature Foundation, we seek to elevate the status of Emiratis in international events, contributing to bridging the knowledge and cultural gaps between the East and the West.”

In recognition of its landmark work and commitment to advancing education and sustainability, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has established official relations with the Emirates Literature Foundation for a renewable period of six years.

The Foundation will also move to a vibrant new office in Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, which is the cultural epicenter of the city. This relocation marks the anticipated relaunch of the Dubai International Writer’s Centre in April, which will host a diverse array of year-round events.

The Foundation has collaborated with Dubai Civil Defence and will soon unveil the ELF Reading Caravan, an extraordinary mobile library and event space. 

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, in collaboration with TikTok, is introducing the #BookTok Challenge, inviting book enthusiasts and creative minds to express their love for books through engaging videos on the platform. Running from January 9 to 22, participants have the chance to showcase their content under the #BookTok tag. The most outstanding entries will be recognized during the closing ceremony of the festival on February 4.