The Emirates Literature Foundation focuses on bringing literature to life for students of all ages, working with their schools, universities, libraries and teachers to enhance their enjoyment of reading for pleasure and offer them new opportunities and ideas.
Education events held at the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and throughout the year give students from across the UAE the chance to meet inspiring authors and discover new books. Alongside this, the Foundation’s popular annual competitions and creative courses encourage students to unlock their own potential in reading and writing, and fuel a lifelong love of words.
Student Competitions
The Foundation regularly holds student competitions in both Arabic and English to help encourage vital skills in the next generation of readers.
Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition
Young writers create short stories around a unique theme of the year, with an opportunity to have the winning entries published in a winners’ anthology.
Letter Writing Competition
Students of all ages celebrate both the aesthetic of handwriting and the art of a well-crafted message.
Emirates NBD Poetry For All
Students honour the strong oral tradition of poetry performance and recital within the Arab world by learning poems by heart and delivering an emotional response to the language and ideas of the poet.
Learn more.
Readers’ Cup
Teams of students, from primary and secondary, read a selection of books and then take part in exciting quiz rounds.
Learn more.
Book in a Box Project
Classes work together to re-create a favourite scene from a book using recyclable materials.
Learn more.
Al-Futtaim Digital Storytelling Competition
Teams of secondary school students use their creative skills and artistic expression to produce a short film inspired by a chosen literary work. Please note that this competition only runs in Arabic.
Learn more
Student Events
Emirates LitFest Student Sessions (In Person)
Browse our special selection of sessions and workshops curated specifically for children. Learn More.
Emirates LitFest Student Sessions (Virtual Edition)
Browse our special selection of virtual sessions curated specifically for students of all ages. Available to be streamed online. Learn More.
Emirates LitFest Fringe Stage
Young performers between the ages of 3-16 can apply for a slot to showcase their talents in front of an international audience! Learn More.
Emirates LitFest Author School Visits
Bring a piece of the LitFest back to your school when you bid for an author school visit! Learn More.
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School Librarian of the Year Award
Is your school librarian a literary hero, tirelessly encouraging pupils to love books and inspiring them to read for pleasure? Then nominate him/her for the School Librarian of the Year Award. Held in partnership with The Executive Council of Dubai, the awards recognise the UAE’s best school librarians in public and private schools. The winners are not only rewarded with fabulous prizes, but also the knowledge that all their hard work in creating the next generation of readers does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated. Learn more.
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ELF Reading Caravan
Donated by the Dubai Civil Defense to the Emirates Literature Foundation, the ELF Reading Caravan is a mobile library that brings an engaging selection of books to school students all over the UAE. Learn more.
