Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025: A Spectacular Lineup Unveiled
The Emirates Literature Foundation has dropped the bombshell with an unveiling of the speaker lineup and programme details for the much-anticipated Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025. This marks the countdown to the 17th edition of the event, scheduled to run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, 2025, at the newly revamped InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Attendees can look forward to over 150 unforgettable experiences, including the fan-favorites: Desert Stanzas, LitFest After Hours, Discovery Talks, and the LitFest Families programme.
Leading Authors to Grace the Stage
At the forefront of the lineup is US-Indian writer and Stanford University professor Abraham Verghese, renowned for his work “The Covenant of Water,” which gained massive popularity after being selected for Oprah Winfrey’s book club. Other highly anticipated names include Emmy Award-winning journalist Hala Gorani, best-selling author and illustrator Jeff Kinney of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, multi-talented author and screenwriter Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), Booker Prize-nominated author Chigozie Obioma, best-selling travel writer Dr. Mohamed Mansi Qandil, scholar and researcher Abdel Illah Benarafa, Cultural Personality of the Year Waciny Laredj, poet Khalid Albudoor, and renowned Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan.
Local and Regional Talent in the Spotlight
Closer to home, Saudi author Faisal J. Abbas will be discussing his latest book, “Anecdotes of an Arab Anglophile,” offering a witty and insightful perspective on the Arab experience in London.
Empowering Conversations and Reflection
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and Managing Director of ELF Publishing, emphasized the importance of the festival as a platform for dialogue, understanding, and reflection in a world of uncertainty and change. The global discussions surrounding identity and culture are more critical than ever, and the Emirates LitFest aims to foster empathy and understanding through its dynamic program.
Emirati Strand and Youth Program
Dubai Culture is proudly sponsoring the Emirati Strand, celebrating the UAE’s culture and featuring a lineup of Emirati writers, artists, and poets. Additionally, the festival will host an international youth program, bringing together university students from around the world to engage with authors and speakers in discussions that shape the future.
For more information on the full program and ticketing details, visit https://emirateslitfest.com.