Every book's journey begins with a word, but its transformation into a lasting cultural monument requires a comprehensive system that goes beyond individual writing. From editing and translation to publishing and documentation, collective efforts shape the reception of a work, expand its reach, and ensure its endurance in cultural memory. In its 2026 session, running from January 21-27 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature sheds light on pivotal moments in the Arab and global literary scene by celebrating three major literary prizes and a special cultural session featuring a gathering of leading intellectual figures. The Centenary of Sultan bin Ali Al Owais. This session, imbued with deep symbolic significance, honours the centenary of the birth of the late Emirati poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, considered one of the cornerstones upon which the cultural and economic landscape of the UAE and the Arab world was built. The session will recall highlights of Al Owais's rich career, from his poetic worlds that embodied the aspirations of the Arab person to his pioneering role in establishing the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. The session will be held in the presence of writer Ibrahim Al Hashemi. The Sheikh Zayed Book Award. Since its inception in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has successfully established itself as one of the most prestigious cultural honours globally, driven by a holistic vision that celebrates the book as a knowledge product that transcends literary genres. This year's celebratory session will review the award's journey and its profound impact on publishing and authorship, featuring Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Huda Barakat, Hissa Al Mohairi, and Margaret Obank. The session will take place on January 24 at 12 PM in the 'Al Baraha 1' hall at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel. The 'Ibn Battuta' Award. For 25 years, the Ibn Battuta Award for Travel Literature has stood as the premier platform for celebrating writing born from movement and discovery, and for documenting moments of cultural convergence between peoples. This year, the festival presents a special session that traces the evolution of Arab and Islamic travel literature, examining the award's role as a 'cultural roadmap' connecting global voices. This year's celebration underscores the value of travel literature as a bridge extending between worlds and ideas, transforming travel from mere spatial movement into a deep intellectual experience. The session will feature a panel of the award's directors and writers, including Nouri Al Jarah, Professor Ahmed Bargawi, Naema Al Hosni, and Tim Mackintosh-Smith, in an in-depth dialogue on the award's sustainable impact on the cultural scene. The Saif Ghobash-Banipal Award. The Saif Ghobash-Banipal Award for Arabic Literary Translation honours translators who give books a 'second voice' and open up vast horizons for Arabic literature to engage with readers worldwide. This year's celebration takes on a special character with an exceptional cultural dinner, bringing together a select group of translators from around the world in an evening brimming with the exchange of visions and experiences. Since its launch in 2006, the award has carved out a distinct name for itself in supporting the translation of Arabic literature into English and in enhancing pathways of intercultural and civilizational exchange. Amidst the grand festivities of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, this dinner spotlights two decades of exceptional translations and honours the translators whose efforts have broadened the reach of Arabic literature, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries.
