The short story collection was launched as the UAE takes centre stage as Country of Honour at one of the world’s largest publishing events.
An English-language edition of Lives in Pomegranate by Emirati writer Ali AlShaali has been launched at the Beijing International Book Fair, where the UAE is participating as this year’s Country of Honour.
Published by ELF Publishing, the launch forms part of the UAE’s cultural programme at the international book fair, which showcases Emirati literature and promotes cultural exchange with readers and publishers from around the world.
Originally written in Arabic, Lives in Pomegranate is a collection of 11 short stories exploring themes of identity, loss and survival through narratives that blend contemporary life with imagined futures. The English edition has been translated by Antonio Santi, making the work accessible to a wider international audience.
During the fair, Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi visited the UAE’s Al Bait Al Emarati pavilion and was presented with a copy of the newly released English edition as part of the country’s literary showcase.
AlShaali is widely recognised as one of the UAE’s leading contemporary literary voices. Alongside his poetry and fiction, he has contributed to the country’s publishing sector and is scheduled to represent the UAE later this year at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.
The launch also reflects the growing international reach of Emirati literature, with more local authors seeing their work translated into other languages and presented at major global literary events.
Readers in the UAE can purchase Lives in Pomegranate through ELF Publishing’s website and at branches of Magrudy’s across the country.
