Highlights From The Emirates Airline Festival Of Literature

The Emirates LitFest celebrates student talents in poetry, letter writing and reading

Tom Hudson announced the launch of his upcoming book, Exponential Emirates, which celebrates 50 years of the UAE’s history and shines a spotlight on how the country’s growth can be a global example for the future. “It is a huge honour to unveil my book here and appear at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Documenting the history of the country through the eyes of the people who have seen it and been part of its success is so important,” said Tom Hudson.

Three popular student competitions award winners were celebrated today at the Festival, starting with the keen readers who scooped the cup in the Chevron Reader’s Cup. Poetry performances were celebrated at the ENBD Poetry For All awards ceremony. Talented letter writers, judged on both style and substance, were celebrated at the ceremony for  RGS Guildford Dubai Children’s Letter Writing Competition.

This evening will also see the return of the LitFest’s Desert Stanzas event, which will see audiences gather in the desert for an evening of Emirati hospitality, poetry performances and music at the beautiful Caravanserai desert camp. Poets and performers include Elizabeth Acevedo, Afra Atiq, Danabelle Gutierrez, Nikita Gill, Noor Naga, Sasha Akhtar, Zainab Arrefaei, Ahmed Al Ali, Brent Shuttleworth and Carlos Andres Gomez.

Coming Up Tomorrow…

Crushing It author and business author Gary Vaynerchuck, AKA GaryVee, will make his LitFest debut talking about the skills needed to be a better, more effective leader in his solo sold-out session. 

A celebration of the spoken word with two separate sessions, the already sold-out Fresh Air, Fresh Lyrics and The Thing With Feathers, which will present performances from an international line-up of poets. 

Too many cookbook authors do not spoil the cookbook, as the 12 authors of Memorable Flavours come together to discuss working on their book together, and the recipes they love and their significance for them. 

Poet Carlos Andres Gomez and musician Brent Shuttleworth will team up for a one of a kind workshop for kids which will explore songwriting and poetry together!