CEO of ELF Publishing and Emirates Literature Foundation Ahlam Bolooki first attended the LitFest as an audience member, then as a volunteer, and later as a moderator. From beginning her journey with a part-time position to eventually becoming CEO, Bolooki has come a long way, driven by her passion for literature and culture. “Since the age of 18, I’ve immersed myself in creative writing courses, and it’s this love of storytelling that’s led me to the Emirates LitFest,” she says.  

Bolooki first joined the foundation as a part-time youth program manager, and by the time her contract ended, she was offered the role of festival director by Isobel Abulhoul, the founder of the foundation and the festival. At the time, Bolooki was searching for purpose after leaving her previous job and was certain that she wanted to be involved in something that aligned with her values and made a difference to people and the world. “I could see that there was something special here,” she says, and it hit her the second she walked through the ELF doors in 2017. “I just had this feeling that I’d come home, and I couldn’t imagine feeling happier anywhere else.”   

Having previously worked with iconic Emirati brands like the Jumeirah Group, Bolooki took up a smaller role with lesser responsibility at the foundation, knowing that the decision felt right to her. In hindsight, she credits this as the most important decision of her career, which taught her a lesson for life. “It taught me that taking a step back doesn’t always mean you’re taking a step back. Sometimes it leads you to take five steps forward–especially if it’s in the right direction. Because this is where I saw myself in the future, and that leap of faith paid off,” she confesses.  

A strong believer in the power of literature and storytelling, Bolooki believes she has a role in creating a space for young female storytellers.    

“Humans are inherently storytellers. It’s how we make sense of the world and our history and express our aspirations for the future. Stories have the power to inspire, educate, and even unite us. I think it’s important for young women, especially those in cultural spaces, to use their voices to not only amplify their own stories but also to give a platform to voices that don’t have one or have been unable to share their own stories,” she says.