Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025 Kicks Off in Dubai

Dubai is set to host the much-anticipated Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025, opening tomorrow at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City.

Running from January 29 to February 3, the festival will feature nearly 200 sessions, workshops, and performances, bringing together literary luminaries and cultural icons from across the globe.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the festival is organized by the Emirates Literature Foundation with support from Emirates Airline and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Among the distinguished guests are Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, bestselling authors Jeff Kinney and Abraham Verghese, Emmy-winning journalist Hala Gorani, and acclaimed screenwriter Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket).

Festival Director Ahlam Bolooki emphasized the event’s role in fostering dialogue and innovation, stating,

“This is more than a literary festival; it’s a platform where bold ideas and fresh perspectives come to life.”

Emirates’ EVP Boutros Boutros echoed this sentiment, highlighting Dubai’s growing stature as a global cultural hub.

This year’s highlights include a session on The First, the biography of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed, poetry under the desert sky at Desert Stanzas, and All That Glitters, an immersive dining experience blending storytelling with gastronomy. The expanded Youth Programme and Global Association of Literary Festivals meeting further underscore the festival’s international significance.

With a diverse array of discussions, performances, and interactive events, the festival promises an enriching experience for book lovers, aspiring writers, and literary professionals alike.

News Source: Emirates News Agency