Emirati Spotlight
The United Arab Emirates is home to a thriving literary culture, which predates the founding of the country more than 50 years ago. Since its launch, the Emirates LitFest has become the biggest celebration of literature in the Middle East, with many Emirati authors, poets, and thinkers making their debuts at the annual event.
With a wide range of sessions and workshops taking place throughout the Festival, there’s something for people of all ages, with Emirati talent showcased throughout our programme, in partnership with Dubai Culture.
EMIRATI SPEAKERS
Celebrating local authors, poets, thought leaders, and taste makerst
Portraits from the UAE: Ahmed Bin Shabib, Amna Al Qubaisi, Khawla Bin Khediya & Tony Jashanmal
Sunday 5 February 2023 11:30-12:30
English
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My First Translation: Dr Abdul Nasir Yousuf & Eman Hassan AlHammadi
Monday 6 February 2023 10:00-11:00
Arabic
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Navigating Your Net-Zero Journey: Dina Storey , Jaison John, Paul Polman & Dr Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi
Friday 3 February 2023 13:00-14:00
English
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Shaping the Middle East: Dubai Abulhoul & Sir Simon Mayall
Saturday 4 February 2023 17:30-18:30
English
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How to Invest & Be Part of the Metaverse?: A Masterclass with Dr Sulaiman Al Kaabi
Saturday 4 February 2023 13:30-14:30
Arabic
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Dr Rafia Ghubash: Between Ink & Impact - Writing Your Biography
Sunday 5 February 2023 19:00-20:00
Arabic
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Save the Turtles! - Supporting Marine Conservations: Barbara Lang-Lenton, Tiffany Delport & Toby Gregory
Saturday 4 February 2023 15:30-16:30
English
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Emirates - Nothing is Impossible: Ali Al Saloom & Prof Giovanni Bozzetti
Friday 3 February 2023 11:00-12:00
English
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Poetry for the Palate: Dr Afra Atiq & Danabelle Gutierrez
Sunday 5 February 2023 11:30-12:30
English
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HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Through My Eyes
Thursday 2 February 2023 17:00-18:00
English
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Past, Present & Future of Islam: Marina Mahathir, HE Omar Saif Ghobash & Reza Aslan
Saturday 4 February 2023 10:00-11:00
English
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HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr: The Library's Story - Between the Shelves of Knowledge
Thursday 2 February 2023 11:30-12:15
Arabic
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A Single Crime isn’t Enough – The Detective Game: Ibrahim Al Marzooqi & Noha Daoud
Friday 3 February 2023 19:30-20:30
Arabic
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Women Against the World: Bonnie Garmus, Geetanjali Shree & Reem Al Kamali
Friday 3 February 2023 19:00-20:00
Multilanguage
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Maisoon Saker Al Qassimi: The Writing Compass - An Eye on the Story
Saturday 4 February 2023 16:15-17:15
Arabic
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When Pictures Speak: Ibrahim Wahib Al Lami, Maria Dadouch & Yaseen Elswaih
Saturday 4 February 2023 17:00-18:00
Arabic
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What Does Your Body Say?: Sarah & Hajar Abdulrahman, Chaired by Dr Habib Al Attar
Saturday 4 February 2023 19:00-20:00
Arabic
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How Do I Tell My Child?: Amal Nasser, Ameera BuKadra & Mohannad Alakous
Sunday 5 February 2023 17:00-18:00
Arabic
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Travel Trail: Ali Al Saloom, Nouri Al Jarrah & Salha Obeid
Friday 3 February 2023 21:00-22:00
Arabic
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Getting Ahead of the Game – Lessons in Leadership: Ann Hiatt & Dr Raja Al Gurg
Sunday 5 February 2023 16:00-17:00
English
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Spirituality on the Daily: Alexander Thomas, Ismat Mahmassani & HE Omar Saif Ghobash
Sunday 5 February 2023 11:30-12:30
English
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Writing Through the Lens: Noura Al Noman, Nujoom Al Ghanem & Sara Galadari
Friday 3 February 2023 18:30-19:30
Arabic
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Fresh Air, Fresh Lyrics: A Night of Poetry
Thursday 2 February 2023 20:00-21:30
Multilanguage
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Feeding the Soul: Isobel Abulhoul, Colonel Jamila Al Zaabi & Zahra Abdalla
Friday 3 February 2023 09:00-10:00
English
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The Neighbourhood Storyteller - Real Life Events: Bisan Salameh, Fairouz Taqi Adeen & Dr Rana Dajani
Sunday 5 February 2023 11:30-13:00
Arabic
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Sidra Honey: Carla Barbara Coppi & Dr Reem Al Gurg
Sunday 5 February 2023 17:15-18:00
Multilanguage
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Cities of the Future: HE Hala Badri & HE Reem Al Hashimy
Thursday 2 February 2023 10:30-11:15
Arabic
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Protecting My Rights: Abdelrahman Almuaini, Dr Afra Atiq, Dr Alyaziah Khalifa, Majd Al Shehhi & Salha Obeid
Friday 3 February 2023 15:00-15:50
Arabic
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Fables Around the Fire: Ben Miller, Bolu Babalola, Budjette Tan, Dubai Abulhoul & Nicholas Jubber
Saturday 4 February 2023 20:00-21:15
English
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Who's Winning? Writer’s Feud: Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Sawsan Dahneem, Waciny Laredj & Dr Zineb Laouedj
Sunday 5 February 2023 19:30-20:30
Arabic
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HE General Lieutenant Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri: Dubai, A Friend - Past, Present & Future
Wednesday 1 February 2023 09:00-09:50
Arabic
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Sustainable Eats: Bobby Chinn & HE Mariam Bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri
Saturday 4 February 2023 13:00-14:00
English
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Telling Stories through Images: A Picture Book Illustration Workshop with Maitha Al Khayat
Friday 3 February 2023 15:00-17:30
English
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EMIRATI TALENT ACROSS THE PROGRAMME
Hear from local voices, speakers, and moderators throughout the Festival
WATCH EMIRATI SPEAKERS
Many Emirati speakers have made an appearance on the LitFest stage throughout the years
This spotlight on Emirati literary talent has been brought to you in partnership
with Dubai Culture.
QUICK LINKS
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