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His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said the Sharjah Festival of African Literature is a key dialogue pathway with African nations, reflecting His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision to broaden engagement with global cultures. The festival acts as a gateway into Africa’s creative and heritage landscapes, fostering dialogue and collaboration between Emirati and African writers, publishers, and creatives.
Al Ameri added: “Those who follow the work of the Sharjah Book Authority are well aware of the impact of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, in spotlighting countries with deep cultural roots and a tangible influence on global creative production. The experiences the festival presents and the creative voices it celebrates are a direct reflection of that guidance and an affirmation of its role in driving genuine momentum within the Arab cultural movement in general, and the Emirati cultural scene in particular.”
The second edition places particular emphasis on the literature of East and Southern Africa, highlighting literary experiences from Zanzibar, Ethiopia and South Africa. These regions are recognised for their established literary communities, influential writers and growing publishing sectors, reflecting the festival’s vision of celebrating Africa’s rich, diverse and multilingual literary voices and their cultural and human depth.
The cultural programme features a distinguished group of Emirati writers, including Fahad Al Memari, Ali Al Shaali, Shaikha Al Mutairi, Afra Atiq, Nadia Al Najjar, Salha Abid and Ameera Bukdra, alongside a wide selection of African writers and literary figures.
Introducing new cultural concepts, the programme features the African Village Experience, an immersive cultural space that recreates the atmosphere of a traditional African village through handicrafts, textiles and visual arts, complemented by live music, drumming performances and dance. The festival also hosts African fashion shows that bring together African designers and Emirati creatives, highlighting contemporary interpretations of cultural identity and heritage.
The daily programme includes panel discussions featuring leading literary and cultural figures from across Africa, with readings from selected African publications and explorations of themes such as identity, memory, narrative, heritage and the future of African literature.
A dedicated daily event, Poetry Readings, presents a curated session each day, spotlighting poets from East and Southern Africa alongside Emirati poetic voices, celebrating cultural identity, heritage and the enduring power of spoken word.
As part of its academic engagement efforts, the festival is organising a university outreach programme across the UAE, enabling direct interaction with students through lectures, workshops and discussions. The programme aims to foster academic dialogue and support emerging writers and researchers through specialised collaborative sessions.
The festival also celebrates African culinary culture through live cooking sessions that blend the art of cooking with storytelling, history and cultural heritage. These sessions showcase traditional dishes from countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe, offering visitors the chance to watch live demonstrations, learn about the cultural symbolism of dishes and sample distinctive local flavours and ingredients.
Children are given special focus through daily workshops that combine storytelling, art, language and performance, designed to nurture imagination and introduce younger generations to African culture through innovative, interactive experiences.
The programme includes collaboration with publishing associations in East and Southern Africa to involve publishers and authors in festival activities, alongside a dedicated book sales area featuring titles by participating writers. A cultural market showcases handcrafted products, jewellery, textiles, home décor and heritage-inspired gifts from Africa, presented alongside traditional Emirati products, reinforcing the festival’s spirit of cultural exchange.
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