The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and the Emirates Literature Foundation are joining forces for a major new initiative at the 2026 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
They're set to launch a dedicated Translation Strand, which will explore how the simple act of translation opens up whole new horizons for readers across languages and cultures.
With a focus on Arabic and English, the programme will feature conversations, workshops and panels led by some truly distinguished voices in the field, including Egyptian translator Dai Rahmy, Korean sociologist and award-winning translator Dr Karima Kim and Emirati children’s book translator Noura Al Khoori.
They will also be joined by acclaimed authors Hoda Barakat, Saud Al Sanousi, Dr Shahla Ujayli and Soukaina Habibullah, whose works have reached audiences worldwide owing to the power of translation. Together, they’ll reflect on how language shapes storytelling and how translators act as the true, creative interpreters of culture.
“Translation is a powerful act of human connection, opening doors for stories to travel freely and for communities to share knowledge and deepen mutual understanding. By supporting these initiatives in partnership with the Emirates Literature Foundation, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering dialogue between Arabic and world literature.”, says Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture.
The festival will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Saif Ghobash–Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation, administered by the Society of Authors in the UK. Over the past two decades, the prize has introduced English-speaking readers to prominent Arab voices. The anniversary will be marked with an invite-only event honouring past winners and celebrating 20 years of excellence in translation.
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Managing Director of the Emirates Literature Foundation notes, “Translation is at the very heart of our festival this year. It is the bridge that carries Arabic literature to the wider world, while also drawing us closer to the great masterpieces of global literature.
We believe that every Arabic story carries a deeply human meaning that speaks across borders, and it is our duty to give these stories new languages and wider horizons. Translation is, at its core, an act of love and openness, and cultural dialogue flourishes when diverse voices meet and experiences intertwine.
By shining a spotlight on the art of translation at the festival, we are reaffirming our mission to make literature a powerful force for human connection, and to strengthen the presence of the Arabic word on the international stage.”
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is one of the top ten literary festivals in the world. The 2026 edition will take place in Dubai, UAE, from 21 to 27 January 2026, welcoming authors, illustrators, poets, performers, publishers and of course, translators from around the globe.
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
