The Emirates Literature Foundation has announced the full programme for the 2026 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, unveiling its line-up at the Theatre of Digital Art in Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Now in its 18th year, the festival will run from January 21–27 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. It is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who will be honoured in a special VIP session dedicated to his book Life Taught Me.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature to Open 18th Edition on January 21
This year’s roster features a broad mix of international and regional authors, including 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 writers include Shamma Al Bastaki, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Hoda Barakat, Jalal Barjas, Saud Al Sanousi, Badriah Albeshr, Salha Obaid, Shashi Tharoor, and Oliver Jeffers.
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, said the festival aims to strengthen a culture of reading and support the UAE’s role as a global literary centre. Emirates Airline and Dubai Culture continue as Title Sponsor and Founding Partner. Emirates’ Executive Vice President Boutros Boutros noted the festival’s expanding influence and its role in showcasing regional talent.
Dubai Culture will support the “Bil Emirati” and “Translation” strands, as well as the Literary Luminary Prize, which recognises influential Emirati storytellers. Senior UAE officials and cultural leaders are expected to attend, alongside a wide slate of Arab authors, poets, and children’s writers.
The festival will also mark major regional literary milestones, including the centenary of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, the 20th anniversaries of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and the Saif Ghobash Banipal Translation Prize, and a special panel hosted by the Ibn Battuta Award for Geographic Literature.
More than 200 sessions will be organised under thematic strands such as State of Now, How To, Fantastic Fiction, Writers’ Corner, LitFest Families, and LitFest After Hours. New features include a festival app offering personalised schedules and contactless check-ins. Special events range from Desert Stanzas to a Robbie Burns celebration and an interactive murder-mystery dinner.
Nearly 200 speakers from 40 nationalities are confirmed for 2026, spanning fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism, illustration, and children’s literature.
Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office
Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.
Oksana Bozhko
