Festival Programme

In Rachel Clarke's 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction-winning book The Story of a Heart, she shares a profoundly moving true story that begins in tragedy and ends in a miracle.

Join Aube Rey Lescure, Hafsa Lodi, and Uttama Kirit Patel as they explore the secrets, curses, and bonds that shape families. 

Beloved author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers returns to LitFest with a heart warming and witty new story about friendship, community, and remembering what really matters. Because NO birthday should be forgotten!

An inspiring children’s session featuring Emirati author Dr. Fatma Mohammed, who shares the story In My Right Eye, a Garden, where a mother’s journey with her son Zayed becomes a heartfelt message of love, hope, and embracing differences. Through warm storytelling and interactive activities, children will learn the values of empathy and belonging, and discover the beauty of diversity in the world of People of Determination.

Former prosecutor turned literary powerhouse, Scott Turow transformed the legal thriller with Presumed Innocent, now a hit Apple TV+ show. His new gripping novel, Presumed Guilty, returns to that world.

Fear has always shadowed writers, testing their courage. In this session, Ayesha Sultan, Layla Almotawa, and Mohammed Samir Nada share their answers to one of the most daunting questions: What if my family reads what I write?

Is globalisation losing its way? Peter Frankopan and Dubai Abulhoul as they explore shifting alliances, competition for resources, and if regional cooperation can create a more resilient global economy.

Join award-winning author-illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson for map-making fun in Martha Maps It Out. Where will your map take you?

Ahmed Saadawi, Alawiya Sobh, and Ezzat Elkamhawi come together to reflect on the Arab literary scene and its transformations, tracing the state of the Arab individual as they sway between turmoil and certainty—between what is lost and what remains.

Bestselling authors Alex Shaw, Louise Candlish and Brandy Scott reveal the secrets of suspense, exploring twists, pacing, and psychological tricks that keep readers hooked.

Join author Shahina A. Ghazanfar and illustrator Sue Wickison for a journey through the rich botanical world of the Quran, exploring the sacred plants that connect nature, faith, and culture through art and scholarship.

Join broadcaster Naga Munchetty as she discusses It’s Probably Nothing, her powerful book on women’s health, exposing medical bias and urging women to speak up, be heard, and demand better care.

Join bestselling author Rachel Bright for The Turtle Who Turned the Tide, a heartwarming, rhyming adventure about bravery, family, and the power of even the smallest heroes.

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Delve into darkness with bestselling crime writer Ruth Ware in this workshop on crafting compelling characters that drive plot and build tension.

“Milk and Rain” is a Somali expression symbolizing joy during travel. In this session, we explore travel literature with writers Abdulwahab Alhammadi and Ibrahim Althehli, reflecting on how moments of contentment on the road can become a source of spiritual nourishment.

Join Neil Shubin for a tour of The Ends of the Earth. Don't miss these gripping tales from the edge of the world; frozen landscapes in the Arctic and Antarctic, daring science, and the relentless human drive to explore.

Crack the case with InvestiGators creator John Patrick Green in a laugh-out-loud, action-packed comic adventure for all ages.

Join Petr Horáček, Kate Greenaway Medal-shortlisted author, as he shares A Best Friend for Bear - a heartwarming, interactive storytime with lovable bears and a chance to draw Black Bear yourself!

From the image of the mother in collective heritage to her presence in literature, Badriah Albishr, Hoda Barakat, and Soukaina Habiballah come together for an honest conversation drawn from their personal experiences, to explore the complex relationship between mothers and children.