A tribute session honors a generation of pioneers who paved the way for future generations. Among them are Shahab Ghanem, author of over 100 works; Ali Abu Rish, who enriched the Arab library with his timeless novels; and Hissa Lootah, whose works span studies, research, and literary creations.
In conversation with Sultan Al-Meimani, one of the most prominent voices in the UAE's cultural scene, the event embarks on a journey spanning decades of creativity. Al-Meimani combines research precision with poetic sensitivity, making words a mirror of the Emirati individual and his transformations, and literature an extension of life itself. Writing remains his most beautiful path to meaning.
Writer Hamda Zar'ouni takes the audience on a documentary journey titled "Traditional Emirati Perfumes: Types, Manufacturing, and Usage." Her book offers a research experience on a rich and deep cultural heritage topic, aiming to understand the authentic Emirati identity and the esteemed status of traditional Emirati perfumes.
Shamma Al-Boomstaki explores memory, language, and the power of storytelling in preserving a city's spirit through her famous poetry collection "House by House," inspired by the oral narratives of Dubai Creek communities. Discover the stories of people who generously shared their personal memories in the "Dubai Legacy" initiative, and learn how personal memories intertwine to preserve Dubai's heritage.
In an exceptional evening, poets Hassan Al-Najjar, Hanin Omar, Aloosh Sowait, Ali Al-Mazimi, and Maryam Zar'ouni present their poems in a lively dialogue with the world of law. This dialogue does not merely accompany but throws open the doors of the East to nostalgia, modernity, philosophy, and love.
What shapes the features of Emirati identity? Is it the echo of memory, the richness of language, the scent of place, or the details of inherited stories? At the 2026 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the sessions do not just provide answers but open windows for self-exploration through literature, art, and history across seven sessions that summarize the story and form the "secret recipe" for understanding the UAE's past, present, and creative future.
A session opens the pages of a book documenting the life of one of the nation's earliest builders, Mohammed Saeed Al-Mulla. He began his life in the Shindagha neighborhood to become one of the pillars of the economy and national work. The book "A Bright Biography in the Contemporary History of the UAE" by researcher Muid Al-Shibani tells the story of individual success and presents a model of perseverance, leadership, and love of country. In this evening, his grandsons Ahmed and Rashid bin Shibib present their grandfather's legacy from a human and family perspective, revealing how one man's biography can inspire generations and confirming that strong values are the foundation of a renaissance.
Artist and illustrator Firdous Zaid leads a dialogue with fellow artists and creators: Jean Picard, Manar Lahham, and Mohammed Yusuf Al-Shibani from "Corniche Comics." Together, they will explore the creative scene of comics in the UAE, from storytelling and publishing to building communities and working globally.
A session honors the figures who have created a literary and intellectual legacy that we return to as we step into the future. In honor of Dr. the writer...
