The 'Sharjah Literature Festival' returns for its second edition in 2026 with an expanded and comprehensive program featuring a unique blend of cultural and entertainment experiences, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the richness of Emirati literature and its symbols. The festival's agenda, organized jointly by the Emirates Publishers Association and the Sharjah Book Authority under the slogan 'A Woven by Stories', will take place from January 5th to 11th at the City University Hall Square in Sharjah. It includes a series of cultural, artistic, and entertainment events that translate the festival's mission of highlighting the Emirati literary and creative scene and fostering a fertile cultural environment where literature becomes a bridge connecting the past, present, and future aspirations, cementing Sharjah's status as a beacon of thought, culture, and civilization. Through its program, the festival continues to support publishers and creative entrepreneurs, enabling them to showcase their work to a broad audience, which contributes to the enrichment of the creative industries in the emirate and the UAE. This year, the festival welcomes the participation of an elite group of Emirati figures in literature, poetry, thought, art, media, cuisine, and sports, including writer Afra Mahmoud, media personality Bader Al-Awadi, influencer and lawyer Saleha Al-Bustani, writer Sarah Keldari, artistic director Shamma Al-Zufaini, writer Latifa Al-Najjar, author Fatima Al-Burayki, and media personality Alya Al-Mansoori. The event also attracts poets Amel Sahlawi, Ahmed Al-Asam, Nujaim Al-Zahiri, and Ali Al-Abdan, as well as content creator Abdullah Al-Louz, chef Islam Al-Jabali, artist Mohammed Yusuf, and astrophotographer Yusuf Al-Qasimi. In the field of musical and vocal arts, the festival hosts singer Maydi, guitarist Hour Al-Marzouqi, pianist Ahmed Al-Hashemi, the 'Oud Duo' band, the 'One Interupted and Friends' band, and a theatrical troupe from the Sharjah Capacity Development Institution. Over its seven days, the festival will host a book fair with 42 Emirati publishing houses offering a diverse selection of local publications catering to various age groups, enriching the visitors' experience. The festival also includes innovative shops to display and sell handmade crafts that blend modern aesthetics with Emirati heritage. On the festival's main stage, visitors can look forward to a packed program that blends culture, heritage, and entertainment, featuring a series of dialogue sessions covering various topics such as 'Ancient Civilization in Mleiha', 'Rules of Writing for Children', 'Video Games', 'Art and Music', 'Sports and Society', 'Street Photography', 'Star Gazing and Photography', and 'The Table Unites Us'. Additionally, there will be poetry nights, theatrical, musical, and vocal performances. The festival's program also extends to a series of workshops that take participants into the world of art with visual artist Magdi Al-Kafrawi, 'Visual Art Using Artificial Intelligence' with artist Ahmed Bafadel, 'Cartoon Characters' with artist Aisha Al-Hamrani, 'Creative Book Dividers Designs' with Hadeel Jenih, 'Arabic Calligraphy' with calligrapher Abdullah Al-Asstad, 'Photography Basics and Content Creation' with Saif Salem, 'Seal Making' with Jasim Al-Naqbi, as well as workshops for candle making, photography, and cooking. Cultural events, artistic shows, and entertainment that translate the festival's message of highlighting the Emirati creative scene, a book fair as part of the festival's agenda with 42 Emirati publishing houses offering a diverse selection of local publications.
