The 17th edition of the Emirates Literature Festival (ELF), scheduled to take place from January 21 to 27, 2026, has announced its full lineup, promising a diverse and thought-provoking program. The festival, held at the Theater of Digital Art in Madinat Jumeirah, will feature a range of notable figures, including Gaza photojournalist Plestia Aqad and top hostage mediator Scott Walker. Aqad, author of ‘Eyes of Gaza,’ will participate in panel discussions to share her harrowing experiences documenting one of the most extensively covered conflicts in history. Walker, renowned for his expertise in crisis negotiation, will reveal strategies for diffusing high-stakes situations. The festival will also celebrate Emirati culture, with poet Shamma Al Bastaki presenting her debut collection ‘House to House,’ which chronicles Dubai’s transformation from the 1940s to the 1980s. Award-winning author Salha Obaid will mark the English translation of her novel ‘Circle of Spice,’ while children’s author Ebtisam Al-Beiti will enchant young audiences with a puppet show based on her latest book. International literary sensation RF Kuang and Emmy-winning comedian Vir Das will also grace the event, alongside a tribute to Egyptian icon Umm Kulthum. Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, highlighted the festival’s global impact, having inspired over a million children and launched numerous initiatives.
UAE: Gaza journalist, top hostage mediator among guests at Emirates Literature Festival
