Emirates Literature Festival 2026 Opens with Music, Poetry and Cultural Tribute
From a waterfront parade to poetry, music and tribute, the festival’s opening ceremony celebrated storytelling across generations
- Publish date: since 2 day Reading time: two min read
The Emirates Literature Festival 2026 officially opened with a vibrant ceremony at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City on Wednesday, January 21. The ceremony was preceded by a live parade along the waterfront of the venue, drawing festivalgoers together for a festive start to one of the region’s most anticipated literary events.
Following the parade, the opening ceremony commenced with the national anthem of the UAE, marking a moment of unity and pride. Music took centre stage soon after, as the National Youth Camerata delivered a captivating performance of soundtracks from the globally renowned Harry Potter film franchise, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The programme then shifted to the spoken word, with Um Mohammed narrating a short story that recreated the rich oral storytelling traditions of Emirati heritage. Her performance highlighted the importance of passing stories from one generation to the next, grounding the ceremony in local culture.
Emirati poetess Shamma Al Bastaki followed with a recital of verses from her poetry collection Beit le Beit, House to House, offering a reflective and lyrical moment that resonated deeply with attendees. The literary focus continued with speeches by acclaimed author Rachel Bright and Mehran Gul, both of whom spoke about the power of literature to connect communities and inspire imagination.
A key highlight of the event was the keynote address by the CEO of the Emirates Literature Festival, who reflected on the festival’s mission and growth. During the speech, the CEO announced the recipient of the Literary Luminary Award: the late Emirati poet Sultan bin Ali Al Owais, honoring his enduring contribution to Arabic literature and cultural life in the UAE.
The ceremony continued with a moving poetry recital by Afra Atiq, before drawing to a close with an energetic and uplifting performance by the Repton Al Barsha Choir. Their finale brought together music, youth and celebration, ending the ceremony on a high note.
With a blend of music, poetry, tradition and tribute, the Emirates Literature Festival 2026 opening ceremony offered a powerful introduction to the festival.