15 Things to Do at This Year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

On a crusade to save the world are Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, the duo behind the internet sensation BOSH! showing us how to live the vegan life; internationally recognised campaigner and sustainability advisor Tony Juniper, who will change the way you think about life, the planet, and the economy; and Green Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi who tells us how we can all take steps in our lives which will contribute towards a sustainable future.

The question of what we can learn from time spent in tune with nature is tackled by TV broadcaster, environmentalist and wildlife expert Kate Humble, who will be talking about the power of her year-long journey on foot.

There is also Miriam Lancewood’s astonishing story of her life in the wilderness, foraging, hunting and being at one with nature, and learning what it means to feel truly alive.

Winner of five Emmys and two BAFTAs, Gavin Thurston’s work as a wildlife cameraman includes Sir David Attenborough's series, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth II, and Our Planet. He reveals the extraordinary adventures and true stories of tracking down and filming the world’s most captivating creatures.

Ali Al Saloom is best known for his "Ask Ali" books, TV show, and column, but his ongoing exploration of Emirati identity has led him to look at the relationship between the UAE’s natural environment and its culture.

The latest business trends will be brought to Dubai from the brightest and best in their fields.

The world’s leading expert on celebrity, Jeetendr Sehdev, examines The Kim Kardashian Principle, which was named one of the year’s most influential books by the Huffington Post.

The inspirational winner of Asia’s first Apprentice show, Jonathan Yabut, shares his business secrets and tells how hard work and sheer grit can bring you greater business success.

There are also masterclasses on leadership, career development, building confidence skills, the impact of culture on business, and even the opportunity to learn how the ancient art of Feng Shui can put your business on track.

Poetry is always popular at the Festival and in 2020 it will bring to Dubai the two-time International Poetry Slam Champion Carlos Andrés Gómez, Martin Kiszko - the UK’s Green Poet, and the return of the ever-popular Harry Baker - World Poetry Slam Champion, this time musically accompanied by Chris Read with their unique brand of comedy-jazz-rap.

There is also poet Eleanor Hooker from Ireland, Rui Coias from Portugal, Palestinian writer and performer Farah Chamma, and the UAE’s very own first female Emirati slam poet, Afra Atiq.

The various ways different cultures and generations retell old stories and find in them new meanings are explored by a number of authors, taking the Arabian Nights as their starting point.

Award-winning Egyptian author and critic Tareq Imam comes to the Festival with his novel The City of Endless Walls, which has been called “The New 1001 Nights.”

Young Adult fiction writer Alwyn Hamilton blends the mythologies of the Arabian Nights and the American West to create a surprising new story. Kevin Crossley-Holland is an English author, poet, and translator who has drawn on Arthurian, Viking and Norse mythology and stories in his many books.

Science Fiction is famous for reimagining the concerns of today as the world of tomorrow – but it is also rooted in the fantastical stories of the past, from the 1001 Nights to The Handmaid’s Tale.

Can we really make the world fairer and more tolerant, with access for all to the basic rights of health-care, education, and self-determination? The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature brings together some of the most heroic and inspiring figures who are making change happen.

TV presenter, cook and bestselling author Nadiya Hussain considers her roles as mother, Muslim, working woman and celebrity, and questions the barriers which many women must cross to be accepted or heard, essentially tackling the same issues despite cultural, social and religious differences.

Best known as the father of the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Malala, Ziauddin Yousafzai is also the man who refused to clip his daughter’s wings. Hear his story, along with his wife Toor Pekai Yousafzai, as they discuss his memoir, Let Her Fly.

In 2014 Nujeen Mustafa began a journey as a refugee in a wheelchair that would lead to her addressing the United Nations Security Council. Nujeen discusses experiences as both a student adjusting to life in a foreign country and as a tireless advocate for disabled refugees and those who remain in Syria.

Edna Adan Ismail was Foreign Minister of Somaliland from 2003 to 2006. She is the director and founder of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa and an activist and pioneer in the struggle for the abolition of female genital mutilation. She discusses her autobiography A Woman of Firsts and joins a panel of tireless fighters whose efforts are improving lives worldwide.

Onjali Q Raúf is Founder and CEO of Making Herstory, a human rights organisation working to end trafficking and enslavement of women.

Dr. Sanduk Ruit is a doctor on a mission to restore sight to anyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay. A pioneer in cataract surgery, he has helped 120,000 people, often travelling to remote parts of Nepal to help those who can’t afford to travel – experiences he has recorded in his biography The Barefoot Surgeon.

The children’s events will bubble over with fun frolics and hilarious capers.

Space scientist Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock inspires new generations of astronauts, engineers, and scientists, with her infectious enthusiasm for sharing the wonders of space through her “Tours of the Universe”. Reach for the stars and find out what’s beyond the final frontier at her lively, fun sessions.

The extraordinary visual artist Oliver Jeffers will be here to entertain fans of all ages with live drawings and stories from his beautifully illustrated books. Delight in animal mayhem from Ross Collins with quirky drawings of animals of all sorts, shapes, and sizes.

Get ready for some amazing magical marvels as Magic Phil, one of Dubai’s best-known entertainers, conjures up some super colourful storytelling.

Come along and meet Lizard and Toad and hear about their wadi adventures with Festival favourite Julia Johnson. Join interactive sessions with Hussain Al Mutawaa and Rania Zaghir and discover Fatima Sharaffedine’s latest book, Mila's Pear.

Revel in Roald Dahl’s Rotsome and Repulsant Words with Fiona Ross and Sara-Jane Arbury. Accompany author and storyteller Christopher Lloyd on an entertaining journey to discover the interconnections of the human and animal worlds in ways you never imagined.

Or explore the environment through Jeannie Baker’s eyes, the author-artist of exquisite picture books such as the award-winning Where the forest meets the sea. Join her session to find out she creates these entrancing images.

The 2020 LitFest will see the culmination of a variety of competitions:

• Student winners to be announced in special ceremonies for the Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition, the Taaleem Award for poetry, the Chevron Readers’ Cup quiz competition and the Emirates NBD Poetry for performance poetry competition
• Winners of the School Librarian of the Year Award will also be honoured at a special event
• Announcement of the winner of the Montegrappa Writing Prize for adult
• Costa Debate - the subject for 2020 is Comedy versus Tragedy

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

For more information, visit the website here.