The Emirates Literature Foundation, the home of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, is a not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures literature in the United Arab Emirates and the region through a programme of varied cultural initiatives.
Established in 2013 by royal decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims to foster a life-long love of all literature. Recognising the importance of reading from a young age, the Foundation focuses on encouraging children and young people to enjoy reading for pleasure.
As part of its initiatives, the Foundation is implementing a School Librarian of the Year Award, an annual Arabic Language Week, an International Translation Conference and Publishing Conference, as well as year-round School Education Programmes, Book Clubs and Creative Writing Courses. The Foundation also awards a literary personage from the UAE the Personality of the Year Award at the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
In 2015, the Foundation held a mentorship programme for young Emirati writers writing in English. The winner was given the unique opportunity of being mentored by celebrated author Liz Fenwick.
The Foundation is also the governing body of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE's premiere literary festival, which will be held from 3–11 March 2017.