Dubai, UAE – The Sharjah Literature Festival returns in its second session 2026, with an expanded and comprehensive program that includes a distinguished combination of cultural and entertainment experiences.
Which gives its visitors the opportunity to explore the richness of Emirati literature and its symbols.
The festival is jointly organised by the Emirates Publishers Association and the Sharjah Book Authority, under the theme “A Society Weaved by Stories”.
This will take place from January 5 to 11, in the courtyard of the University City Hall in Sharjah.
The festival’s agenda includes a series of cultural, artistic and entertainment events and performances.
Which translates the festival’s message into shedding light on the Emirati literary and creative scene and promoting a fertile cultural environment.
Through it, literature transforms into a bridge linking the past, present and future ambitions, consolidating Sharjah’s position as a beacon of thought, culture and civilization.
Through its program, the festival continues to support publishers and creative artisans with the aim of enabling them to display their work to a wide audience.
Which contributes to supporting creative industries in the emirate and the UAE.
This year, the festival welcomed the participation of a distinguished elite of Emirati figures in the fields of literature, poetry, thought, art, media, cooking and sports.
Among them: writer Afra Mahmoud, journalist Badr Al-Awadi, influencer and lawyer Salha Al-Basti, writer Sarah Kaldari, artistic curator Shamma Al-Zafin, writer Latifa Al-Najjar, author Fatima Al-Buraiki, and journalist Alia Al-Mansouri.
Over the course of its seven days, the festival will witness the organization of a book fair with the participation of 42 Emirati publishing houses offering a diverse range of local publications.
Which meets the interests of different age groups and contributes to enriching the visitors’ experience.
The festival also includes innovative shops to display and sell handicrafts that blend modern aesthetics with the craftsmanship of Emirati heritage.
The festival program extends to a group of workshops that take participants into the worlds of art with visual artist Magdy El Kafrawy.
In addition to “Visual Art Using Artificial Intelligence” with artist Ahmed Bafadl, and “Comic Characters” with artist Aisha Al Hamrani.
