Dubai Culture and Fiker Institute Explore the Gulf’s Evolving Literary Landscape
Dubai, UAE, 6 November 2025: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in collaboration with Fiker Institute, a multidisciplinary think tank specializing in international affairs, public policy, and global governance, is hosting a panel discussion titled ‘Writing the Gulf: Memory, Identity & Literature’ on 9 November at the Fiker Institute in Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz.
The initiative reflects the shared commitment of both entities to encourage dialogue on the evolution of Gulf literature and its role in expressing identity, memory, and language. It also underscores the power of storytelling in shaping cultural understanding around the region’s collective narrative, while supporting Dubai Culture’s mandate to position the emirate as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The session will feature three distinguished Emirati voices: Dr Afra Atiq, poet; Nujoom Al Ghanem, poet and filmmaker; and Salha Obaid, writer. Together, they will explore how writing, identity, and memory intertwine to shape the Gulf’s contemporary literary landscape. The talk will highlight the influence of women writers in redefining the region’s creative expression and the ways authors capture themes of belonging, heritage, and transformation amid rapid social change. In addition, the speakers will shed light on the importance of language, translation, and authorship in preserving and sharing Gulf narratives with international audiences.
Curating Culture
Dubai Culture & Arts Authority was launched on 8th March 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Authority enables and develops the cultural and creative sectors in the emirate as the custodian entity, based on its cultural responsibility towards Dubai and to help define it in both a local and global context.
Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, the Authority is committed to enriching the cultural scene of the emirate, firmly rooted in the heritage of the United Arab Emirates. It is working on building bridges of constructive dialogue between various civilizations and cultures to enhance Dubai’s position as a global center for art and culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The Authority is also committed to reviving Dubai’s history and highlighting the image of its contemporary cultural fabric through a series of innovative cultural initiatives, events and projects, as well as the cultural, historical and heritage assets it sponsors. This includes the management of five of the city’s notable heritage monuments, six museums, and eight branches of Dubai Public Libraries.
