While Dubai is known for its glittering skyline and luxurious lifestyle, it also has a growing literary culture worth exploring. For travelers or residents interested in books, storytelling, and creativity, meeting local writers is a unique way to connect with the human side of the city.
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Dubai’s writing community reflects the city’s diversity. Authors here come from many cultural backgrounds, blending influences from the Arab world, Asia, Africa, and the West. Meeting these writers gives you:
- A better understanding of local perspectives
- Insight into Emirati culture, history, and identity
- Opportunities to discover unpublished or self-published voices
Where to Meet Writers in Dubai
1.
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
This is the largest literary event in the Middle East. Held annually, it brings together local and international authors for talks, workshops, and book signings.
2.
Cultural Cafés and Bookstores
Places like The Third Place Café, Book Hero, and House of Prose often host readings and open mic nights where local writers present their work.
3.
Creative Writing Workshops
Organizations such as Dubai International Writers’ Centre or Dubai Culture offer public writing sessions, seminars, and poetry evenings.
4.
Local Universities and Arts Hubs
Institutions like Zayed University or Alserkal Avenue support emerging Emirati writers and host events open to the public.
Genres You’ll Encounter
Local writers in Dubai cover a range of genres:
- Contemporary fiction
- Emirati folklore
- Poetry (especially in Arabic)
- Historical novels
- Short stories and personal memoirs
Many write in both Arabic and English, making their work accessible to a wide audience.
Personal Opinion
Meeting writers in Dubai was one of the most unexpectedly rewarding experiences of my trip. I attended a local poetry night at a café and ended up in deep conversations about identity, migration, and art. It reminded me that beneath the modern façade, Dubai has a rich, expressive heart.