Sharjah hosts African literature festival with top writers
Five-day event brings acclaimed African authors, poets and artists together for talks, readings and cultural programs
SHARJAH, UAE (MNTV) — The Sharjah Festival of African Literature will return this month, bringing leading African writers and poets to the emirate for a wide-ranging cultural program.
Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the five-day festival will run from January 14 to 18 at University City of Sharjah and is open to the public free of charge. The event aims to highlight Africa’s rich literary traditions while strengthening cultural exchange between Africa and the Arab world.
The festival program includes panel discussions, poetry readings, storytelling sessions, and workshops exploring themes such as African cities in literature, environmental narratives, illustration and visual storytelling. Music and dance performances will also feature as part of the celebrations.
Among the prominent participants are British-Ethiopian poet Lemn Sissay, Zimbabwean novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nigerian-American writer Sefi Atta and Ugandan author Dilman Dila. Other featured guests include Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Beatrice Lamwaka, Nahida Esmail and Richard Mabala.
In addition to literary discussions, the festival will host interactive activities for children and young adults, including creative workshops and cultural demonstrations designed to engage a wider audience beyond traditional readers.
Sharjah officials said the festival reflects the emirate’s ongoing commitment to supporting global literature and providing a platform for diverse voices from across the African continent.
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