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Dubai has unveiled the total programme for the 2026 Emirates Airline Competition of Literature, revealing a star-studded lineup of greater than 200 audio system from 40 nationalities for the 18th version of the area’s largest celebration of the written and spoken phrase.
Held beneath the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the pageant will happen from January 21–27, 2026 at InterContinental Dubai Competition Metropolis.
The Emirates Literature Basis introduced the main points throughout an unique occasion on the Theatre of Digital Artwork (ToDA) in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the place the programme was launched via the lens of Emirati traditions, shared narratives and collective cultural id.
The 2026 pageant may even characteristic a VIP panel celebrating the e-book Life Taught Me by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
Headline authors and international literary names
The lineup options main worldwide and regional writers together with 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, Huge Manny, MC Grammar, and Asma Khan.
Returning authors embrace Shamma Al Bastaki; Oyinkan Braithwaite; Hoda Barakat; Jalal Barjas; Saud Al Sanousi; Badriah Albeshr; Salha Obaid; Shashi Tharoor; and Oliver Jeffers MBE.
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of Emirates Literature Basis, Director of Emirates Airline Competition of Literature, and Managing Director of ELF Publishing, stated: “As we put together to welcome audiences to the 18th anniversary of the Emirates LitFest, we remember the fact that the imaginative and prescient of our Basis is a society constructed on studying and storytelling that helps UAE’s place as a world literary hub.
“The Competition continues to encourage curiosity and foster connection, providing one thing for everybody. In a world that may really feel divided or distracted, I invite you to affix us and to pause, learn, and rediscover what unites us as people on a shared journey.”
Strategic companions and cultural pillars
The pageant is supported by Title Sponsor Emirates Airline and Founding Companion Dubai Tradition and Arts Authority (Dubai Tradition).
Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Government Vice President for Company Communications, Advertising and Model, stated: “Emirates believes within the energy of tales to attach individuals, problem us, and broaden our sense of what’s potential… We’re proud to assist a pageant that continues to encourage readers and ignite creativeness throughout our neighborhood.”
Dubai Tradition
Dubai Tradition will assist the Bil Emirati and Translation strands, in addition to the Literary Luminary Prize, which honours Emirati storytellers whose work has contributed to the UAE’s place as a world literary hub.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Tradition, stated the partnership nurtures rising voices and strengthens Dubai’s cultural and inventive industries whereas reinforcing its international standing.
This yr’s LitFest pays tribute to a few of the Arab world’s most prestigious literary awards, together with:
- Al Owais Cultural Basis: Marking the centenary of UNESCO-recognised Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais
- Sheikh Zayed Ebook Award: Internet hosting a particular twentieth anniversary dinner
- Saif Ghobash Banipal Translation Prize: Celebrating its twentieth anniversary
- Ibn Battuta Award for Geographic Literature: Curating a panel marking 25 years of celebrating Arab geographic writing
New pageant app and programme construction
The LitFest has rolled out a brand new app providing personalised itineraries, reminders and digital ticketing for environmentally pleasant entry.
Greater than 200 classes have been organised into themed strands:
- State of Now: Frontline thinkers and commentators
- How To: Sensible experience from international specialists
- Improbable Fiction: Storytelling, world-building and narrative craft
- Writers’ Nook: For aspiring {and professional} creators
- LitFest Households: Household-friendly programming
- LitFest After Hours: Music, comedy, video games and immersive experiences
The pageant may even provide themed occasions together with An Ode Tae Robbie Burns, the Highrise Murder murder-mystery dinner, and Desert Stanzas with famend poets and performers.
Ticketing and passes
Ticket costs begin at AED 50 ($14).
Two pageant passes can be found:
- Conversations Cross: AED 400 ($109) for a variety of English and Arabic classes
- Bil Arabi Cross: AED 100 ($27) for deep engagement with Arabic literature
Basis Pals members obtain a 20 per cent low cost on all classes and unique pageant perks, together with precedence reserving and lounge entry.
Non-members can profit from a 15 per cent early-bird low cost from 25 November to twenty-eight December 2025.
Emirates Airline Competition of Literature 2026
There are virtually 200 audio system from 40 completely different nationalities confirmed to look on the Emirates Airline Competition of Literature 2026. The lineup contains:
- Aarvi Paleja
- Abdelouahab Aissaoui
- Abdulaziz Al Musallam
- Abdulla Al Anazi
- Abdullah Alkadi
- Abdulrahman Alhumairy
- Abdulwahab Alhammadi
- Affan Adeel
- Ahmed Al Saadawi
- Ahmed ElMorsy
- Ahmed N Barqawi
- Alastair Chisholm
- Alawiya Sobh
- Alex Shaw
- Alexander McCall Smith
- Ali Al Mazmi
- Ali AlShaali
- Ali Sparkes
- Aloush Alswait
- Alwaleed Abdullah Alneyadi
- Alwyn Hamilton
- Amal Al Marri
- Amaryllis Abu
- Annabel Kantaria
- Asma Khan
- Aube Rey Lescure
- Aysha Sultan
- Badriah Albeshr
- Bashayer Alatrouzi
- Beatrice Cross
- Bettany Hughes
- Huge Manny
- Brent Shuttleworth
- Caleb Azumah Nelson
- Carlos Andrés Gómez
- Chloe Pierre
- Curtis Jobling
- Dai Rahmi
- Danabelle Gutierrez
- Diana Darke
- Ebtisam Al-Beiti
- Eowyn Ivey
- Eve Wersocki-Morris
- Ezzat Elkamhawi
- Fatima Al-Mazrouie
- Freya North
- Greg McLeod
- Greg Mosse
- Hafsa Lodi
- Hala Alyan
- Hamda Alzarouni
- Hamdan Al Shehhi
- Hamza Kenawi
- Hanin Omar
- Hannah Gold
- Hasan Madan
- Hayley Mae Masters
- Hessa Almehairi
- Hessa Lootah
- Hoda Barakat
- Inua Ellams
- Jalal Barjas
- Jamie Sensible
- Jemima Forrester
- Jane Pica
- Janette Ayachi
- Jeremy Bowen
- Jessica Kahawty
- Jessica Smith
- Joanna Barakat
- John Patrick Inexperienced
- Judy Murray
- Kathy City
- Kelly L Weinersmith
- Ken Liu
- Keshava Guha
- Khalfan Belhoul
- Layla Almotawa
- Leigh Hodgkinson
- Leyth Sharaf
- Louise Candlish
- Lucy Unusual
- Lulwa Yaser Al Ali
- Mahdi Hanna
- Maitha Al Khayat
- Manupriam Seth
- Mariana Missakian
- Marjorie Lotfi
- Maryam AlZarooni
- Mark Fiddes
- Matt Goodfellow
- MC Grammar
- Meera Almansoori
- Meera Yousef Malalla Al Khemeiri
- Mehran Gul
- Meredith Miller
- Michael Pedersen
- Mira Sethi
- Mirna Elmahdy
- Mishaal Asjad
- Mohamed Fathi
- Mohamed Samir Nada
- Mohammad Abdulrahman AlKaabi
- Mohammed Hamed Abedin
- Mohammed Alhebsi
- Mounir Hayek
- Mushata Matei
- Myles McLeod
- Myrna Ayad
- Nada AlShaali
- Nadia Al Najjar
- Naeema Al Hosani
- Naga Munchetty
- Nasir Nasrallah
- Neil Shubin
- Nizrana Farook
- Nora Zeid
- Noura Al Khoori
- Noura Al Noman
- Nouri Al Jarrah
- Oindrila Chakraborty
- Oli Munson
- Oliver Jeffers
- Omar Saif Ghobash
- Omer Taher
- Oyinkan Braithwaite
- Paul Dolan
- Peter Frankopan
- Petr Horáček
- Peter Mackay
- Philip Reeve
- Plestia Alaqad
- R.F. Kuang
- Raafat Hekmat
- Rachel Brilliant
- Rachel Clarke
- Rashmi Sirdeshpande
- Rawan Alyahmadi
- Reem Al Hashimy
- Reem Al Kamali
- Rob Biddulph
- Ross MacKenzie
- Ruchi Mhasane
- Ruth Ware
- Rhys Johnston
- Saeed Rashed AlMansouri
- Safia AlShehi
- Salha Obaid
- Samantha Shannon
- Sammar Shabir
- Sara Hamdan
- Sarah McIntyre
- Saud Alsanousi
- Scott Turow
- Scott Walker
- Saif Al Neyadi
- Shahina A. Ghazanfar
- Shahla Ujayli
- Shamma Al Bastaki
- Sharon King-Chai
- Shashi Tharoor
- Shereen Malherbe
- Shihab Ghanem
- Shireen Sabanegh
- Simon Armitage
- Simon Mole
- Soukaina Habiballah
- Sue Wickison
- Sultan Al Amimi
- Sultan Al Shehhi
- Sultan Sooud AlQassemi
- Tarek El-Ariss
- Thomas Doherty
- Thor Pedersen
- Tia Watson
- Uttama Kirit Patel
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