Dubai, United Arab Emirates : As World Book Day approaches on April 23, the Emirates Literature Foundation is spotlighting the voices shaping the country’s vibrant literary landscape — at a moment of notable recognition for the institution itself.
The Foundation was recently named a winner at the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, honoring its role in developing the literary sector, amplifying Emirati culture regionally and globally, and supporting cross-cultural dialogue. The recognition reinforces the UAE’s growing status as a hub for literature and ideas — and underscores the ethos behind this year’s World Book Day selection: championing homegrown voices and sharing them with the world.
Founded in 2013 by a royal decree issued by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering a culture of reading across the UAE and the wider region. Through year-round programs, literary initiatives and international collaborations, it promotes Arabic language and literature while creating platforms for writers, readers and young talent.
“At ELF Publishing, World Book Day isn’t just about dressing up as our favourite book characters — although we absolutely still do that,” said Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Foundation and managing director of ELF Publishing. “It’s really about celebrating the magic of stories and the way reading brings generations and nations together. Moments like these remind us why it’s so important to champion our local voices, especially in a region where storytelling is such a vital part of who we are. Now more than ever, it’s essential that we own our identity and take the lead in telling our stories to the world, in our own voices and on our own terms.”
To mark the occasion, ELF Publishing has curated a World Book Day reading list highlighting Emirati creativity, identity and evolving literary voices — reflecting the same commitment to cultural storytelling that earned the Foundation international recognition.
1. House to House — Shamma Al Bastaki
Genre: Poetry
A finely crafted collection capturing the memories, rhythms and daily life of historic neighborhoods along Dubai Creek. Through multilingual poems and oral history fragments, the work preserves voices and moments from the 1940s to the 1980s, offering a lyrical portrait of a community in transition.
2. Circle of Spice — Salha Obaid
Genre: Fiction
A sensory, character-driven novel following Sherihan, a woman born into a family of spice traders who experiences the world through scent. As Dubai evolves around her, aromas become markers of memory, emotion and identity.
3. Of Palm Trees and Skies — Afra Atiq
Genre: Poetry
A reflective collection exploring heritage, belonging and emotional inheritance. Written across English, Arabic and French, the poems are intimate, layered and resonant.
4. Fly, Red, Fly! — Ebtisam Al Beiti
Genre: Children’s Literature
An uplifting story about a young dragon named Red who dreams of flying. With vivid illustrations and a gentle message of courage and self-belief, it is well suited for early readers and bedtime storytelling.
5. Rose’s Diaries — Reem Al Kamali
Genre: Historical Fiction
Set in 1960s Dubai, the novel follows Rūza, a young woman who secretly records her thoughts, frustrations and ambitions in private diaries. Through her eyes, readers encounter a city on the cusp of transformation and a woman navigating tradition and self-expression.
Together, the selection reflects the breadth and depth of contemporary Emirati writing across genres. As the Emirates Literature Foundation celebrates its recognition at the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, World Book Day offers a timely opportunity to discover the voices carrying the UAE’s stories to readers around the world.
