The Sharjah Festival of African Literature returns today, January 14, to launch the 2026 African literary calendar. Under the theme “The African Way,” the festival will run until January 18 at University City Hall in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Building on the success of its 2025 inaugural edition—hosted by the Sharjah Book Authority in partnership with the Book Buzz Foundation, led by Lola Shoneyin—the festival represents the culmination of the Emirate’s deepening engagement with African writers and publishers.
This year’s featured guests include writers, poets, filmmakers, publishers, activists, playwrights, and other publishing professionals from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the USA, and Zimbabwe. They include Lemn Sissay, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nahida Esmail, Richard Mabala, Scholastique Mukasonga, Sefi Atta, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún, Dilman Dilam, Beatrice Lamwaka, and Goretti Kyomuhendo. They will be joined by Emirati literary figures Dr Sultan Al Amimi, Ameera Bukdra, Fahad Al Memari, Ali Al Shaali, Shaikha Al Mutairi, Dr Afra Atiq, Maitha Al Khayat, Nadia Al Najjar, and Nasser Al Dhahri.
The festival program is designed to celebrate African literary heritage and foster cross-cultural dialogue through panel discussions, readings, artistic and musical performances, workshops for children and youth, and a dedicated art exhibition. By bringing together writers, intellectuals, artists, and audiences, the festival aims to strengthen cultural exchange between Africa and the Arab world.
If you are in or near Sharjah, we highly recommend visiting University City Hall to experience one of the region’s premier literary gatherings.
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