More than 100 authors representing 24 countries will head to Dubai next March for a literary feast of diverse subjects, styles and genres.

The sixth edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which takes place from March 4-8, will welcome world-renowned writers, speakers and politicians for what is recognised as one of the leading international literary festivals in the world.

A spokesman said: “Emirates supports many events, both in Dubai and across the world. But this festival is particularly fitting for what we do every day – that is connecting people, cultures and minds across our vast six continent network. Each year, the festival produces a flurry of creativity, ideas and debates that buzz around Festival City and reverberate across Dubai. It is a true literary feast – and for anyone who has not been able to make the festival, I would strongly urge you to try this time.”

The 2014 programme includes, among others, best-selling authors Joanne Harris, Jojo Moyes, Marc Levy, Tash Aw and Amish; crime and thriller writers Peter James and Simon Kernick and a strong Arabic contingent which features Mohammed Achaari, Saud Alsanaousi, Maitha Al Khayat, Alia Mamdouh, and Ibrahim Nasrallah.

The world of celebrity will be represented by prima ballerina and judge of the TV show Strictly Come Dancing Darcey Bussell, lyricist Tim Rice, and Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, book club champions and icons of British day-time television, while cricketing commentator Henry Blofeld will entertain with tales from his memoirs.

Politicians and journalists are also to the fore with diplomat Paddy Ashdown, physicist and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili, and TV correspondents and journalists Jeremy Bowen, John McCarthy, Amit Chaudhuri and Pankaj Mishra.

An advisor to the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Building on Dubai Government’s strategy of supporting the growth of arts and culture industry, as one of the founding supporters of the LitFest, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority has seen the initiative grow from strength to strength, creating a genuine appreciation for the written word among audiences from across the region. The sixth edition of the LitFest, which will set the stage for the world’s foremost authors, will once again reinforce Dubai’s credentials as a world-class events destination, while supporting the vision of the Emirate to become one of the world’s most sought-after cultural and artistic destinations.”

For more information, visit emirateslitfest.com