LF Publishing launched Lives in Pomegranate by Emirati author Ali AlShaali at the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), where the United Arab Emirates is participating as the fair’s Country of Honour.
The launch forms part of the UAE’s cultural programme at BIBF and the Al Bait Al Emarati pavilion – overseen by the UAE Embassy in China and jointly organised with the Ministry of Culture – highlighting the country’s expanding literary landscape and reinforcing cultural dialogue between the UAE, China, and the international publishing sector.
Consequently, the release underscores the UAE’s continued investment in literature and cultural diplomacy. Furthermore, the presentation reflects growing interest in contemporary Emirati writing among global audiences.
Lives in Pomegranate is a collection of eleven short stories that meet at the intersection of the present and the future to explore identity, survival, and loss. Originally published in Arabic, the book has now been translated into English by Antonio Santi.
Advance readers have praised the collection for its varied characters and emotional depth. As a result, the publication introduces a broader readership to themes that resonate across cultures and generations.
During a visit to the Al Bait Al Emarati pavilion, His Excellency Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, received a copy of the English-language edition and was briefed on the publication as part of the UAE’s literary programme at the fair.
Ali AlShaali Expands the Global Reach of Emirati Literature
Ali AlShaali is an Emirati poet, novelist, and publisher whose work has played an important role in shaping contemporary Emirati literature. Over the course of his career, he has published five poetry collections, two novels, and a volume of cultural essays.
Later this year, he will represent the UAE at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, where he will discuss his body of work and his contribution to the region’s literary scene. Therefore, the English edition of Lives in Pomegranate arrives at a significant moment in the writer’s international engagement.
Ahlam Bolooki, Managing Director of ELF Publishing, said: “We are very proud to launch the English translation of Ali AlShaali’s book at the Beijing International Book Fair. Ali’s collection is a reflection of today’s interconnected world: a collection penned by an Emirati man during his participation in the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program, translated into English, and launched in China. It is a small but meaningful contribution to the enduring friendship between the UAE and China, rooted in a shared tradition of storytelling and a commitment to preserving culture and heritage for future generations.”
Emirates Literature Foundation Imprint Supports UAE Publishing Sector
ELF Publishing LLC operates as an independent publishing house under the umbrella of the Emirates Literature Foundation. Accordingly, the imprint focuses on preserving the UAE’s storytelling traditions while championing previously untold narratives from Emirati and UAE-based authors.
The launch of Lives in Pomegranate further highlights the role of translation in expanding access to regional literature. In addition, the publication contributes to the broader cultural exchange fostered through the Beijing International Book Fair and the Al Bait Al Emarati pavilion.
Copies of Lives in Pomegranate are available for browsing at the Silk Road Publishers Club stand throughout the Beijing International Book Fair. Meanwhile, the book is available for purchase through ELF Publishing’s website and at Magrudy’s branches across the UAE.
Through its exploration of identity, memory, and human experience, Lives in Pomegranate adds another voice to the growing international presence of contemporary Emirati literature.