Alexander McCall Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to headline Emirates Airline Festival

Alexander McCall Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie lead an eclectic line up of authors for 2015's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

Alexander McCall Smith, responsible for the popular The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and the 44 Scotland Street series of novels. Randi Sokoloff / The National

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will return in March with more than 120 authors and a range of talks, panel discussions and masterclasses, all revolving around the theme of Wonderland.

Speaking during the launch ceremony last night at the festival venue, the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, the event’s director Isobel Abulhoul said: “As an avid reader, what I believe to be Wonderland is when I am opening a book.

“I feel transported and I could be taken forward in time, into space or to countries I have never seen. I love the feeling that ­writers gives the reader, which is to create a special Wonderland just for them.”

The big guns

The festival continues its reputation of luring marquee names. Leading the pack this year is the veteran British crime author ­Alexander McCall Smith, responsible for the popular The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and the 44 Scotland Street series of novels.

Crime-fiction lovers will also relish the chance to see Scottish writer Stuart McBride, best known for his gritty novels featuring the detective Logan McRae.

Nigeria’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, one of Africa’s most ­acclaimed novelists, will also be in Dubai to discuss her third novel Americanah, as well as its predecessor, 2006’s Orange Prize-winning Half of a Yellow Sun, which was adapted as a film this year, starring the British ­actress Thandie Newton.

Joining her is the Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid, known for his evocative trio of regionally based novels including his latest, last year's How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia. His most renowned work, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, was made into a film in 2012, directed by Mira Nair.

The Chinese-British author Jung Chang, meanwhile, is best known for her controversial 1991 family memoir Wild Swans, which sold 10 million copies. Her work remains banned in her native China.

Welcoming old faces

In addition to the new festival guests, several Dubai favourites will be back.

The British author David Nichols was a charming presence at the 2012 edition, during which he promised the crowd he would write the follow-up to his ­acclaimed 2009 novel One Day – and is returning this year to discuss it. Titled Us, the novel was released last month.

The Palestinian author and poet Mourid Barghouti will discuss his acclaimed career, which includes his 1997 Naguib ­Mahfouz Medal-winning novel I Saw Ramallah.

The popular British children’s author Phillip Ardath is best- known for his Eddie Dickens series, and his appearance at the festival will be much anticipated – he is a natural comic on stage and his sessions are renowned for entertaining both the young and the not-so young.

Local talent

Another barometer of the festival’s success is the number of Emirati and UAE-based authors taking part.

The young Emirati author Hend Barr will discuss her debut novel, Kunar, which won this year's Emirates Novel Award. She will be joined by fellow nationals, the novelist Lulwah Al Mansouri, the children's author Reem Al Gurg and poet Talal ­Salem Al Sabir.

The Dubai-based British ­author Tom Calligan brings his debut mystery novel A Killing Winter, inspired by a previous festival masterclass conducted by the ­British crime writer Mark ­Billingham.

Another Dubai author, PG Bhaskar, will discuss his witty novels – Jack Patel's Dubai Dreams, Corporate Carnival and Mad in Heaven.

New features

In a festival first, the children's author Michael Murpurgo will give selected readings from his acclaimed 1982 novel War Horse, while puppeteers will act out the scenes in Al Mamzar Theatre.

“The book has become this popular production that has toured everywhere in Europe and Australia,” said Abulhoul. “The magic of it lies in these amazing puppets that are made by three puppeteers on stage. They make the main character, a horse, into a living breathing creature on stage.”

In a nod to the Wonderland-inspired festival theme, there will also be a special ­children-only Mad-Hatter’s Tea Party.

Festival favourites

Literature lovers once again have a chance to venture into a secluded desert camp to listen to readings by international and local poets. The Desert Stanzas has become one of the festival’s ­hottest tickets, snapped up quickly as soon as they go on sale.

The Murder Mystery Dinner also returns, with guests dining beside their favourite crime authors while attempting to solve an interactive whodunnit.

The honour of giving the festival’s provocative Orwell Lecture has been bestowed upon the Egyptian feminist and academic Nawal El Saadawi.

• The 2015 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will run from March 3 to 7 at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City. Tickets go on sale in January. For details, visit www.emirateslitfest.com