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Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025 Set to Open Tomorrow at InterContinental Dubai Festival City


Dubai: The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025 opens its doors tomorrow at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, inviting literary enthusiasts and cultural icons to six days of inspiring conversations and thought-provoking sessions. Running from 29th January to 3rd February, the Festival will feature almost 200 conversations, performances and workshops in diverse tracks bringing together writers, thinkers, and storytellers from around the globe.



According to Emirates News Agency, the festival is the flagship event of the Emirates Literature Foundation, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The festival is held with the support of Title Sponsor, Emirates Airline, and Founding Partner, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Among the notable names joining the event are bestselling international author Abraham Verghese, Nobel Prize laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, Emmy Award-winning journalist Hala Gorani, the best-selling author and illustrator of the ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ series Jeff Kinney, multi-talented author and screenwriter Daniel Handler, Booker Prize-nominated author Chigozie Obioma, bestselling travel writer Dr. Mohamed Al Mansi Qandil, scholar Abdel Illah Benarafa, Cultural Personality of the Year Waciny Laredj, poet Khalid Albudoor, and celebrated chef Fadi Kattan.



Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and Managing Director of ELF Publishing, described the festival as a space where dialogue is reimagined. She emphasized the festival’s program, crafted to resonate with the diverse interests of the audience, opening a world of possibilities that inspire, motivate, and encourage fresh ideas. The festival will feature critically acclaimed books, business breakfasts, discussions on mental well-being, writing workshops, and interactive events.



Boutros Boutros, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand for Emirates, expressed excitement for celebrating the power of stories at the festival. He noted that the event successfully attracts influential authors, thinkers, and passionate readers to Dubai, a city rich in cultural diversity and creativity. Emirates has supported the festival since its inception and has watched it grow to become a leading literary festival globally, strengthening the local creative community in Dubai.



Dubai Culture sponsors this year’s ‘Bil Emirati’ strand, celebrating UAE culture and providing an opportunity for Emirati and international authors to convene on the Emirates LitFest stage. Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, highlighted the authority’s pride in partnering with the festival, emphasizing its role in enriching the local creative scene and fostering a knowledge-driven economy.



Highlights of the festival include Graeme Wilson’s session on ‘The First,’ the authorised biography of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, offering insights into the life of Dubai’s visionary leader. For poetry enthusiasts, Desert Stanzas presents an evening of verse under the starry desert sky at Caravanserai. Culinary enthusiasts can enjoy the All That Glitters dinner, where a mystery unfolds with each course.



The festival also pays tribute to the legacy of poet Nizar Qabbani through live performances in Endless Love. Additionally, the Arabic Poetry and Qanoon Night features poetic readings with live music and art. These events contribute to a rich festival experience celebrating the written and spoken word.



Aspiring writers have the opportunity to refine their craft through sessions on writing, editing, translating, and publishing in both Arabic and English. The Fringe Stage returns with performances, alongside programmes like Discovery Talks, LitFest After Hours, and LitFest Families.



This year’s Festival welcomes over two dozen cultural event leaders from around the world for the Global Association of Literary Festivals. The event will discuss the evolving impact of literary festivals, addressing industry challenges, and exploring opportunities for international collaboration. The festival is expanding its ‘Youth Programme,’ bringing together youth globally for a cultural experience focusing on the Arabic language to foster creativity and cultural exchange.

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