44th Sharjah International Book Fair To Feature Over 2,350 Publishers And Cultural Events In November 2025

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) will occur from November 5-16, 2025, at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this globally recognised event will feature over 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries. The fair's theme, ‘Between You and a Book,’ highlights the personal connection between readers and literature.

Greece will be honoured as the official Guest of Honour at SIBF 2025. The programme will include 70 Greek participants such as writers, poets, and musicians. Visitors can explore over 600 titles at the Greek National Pavilion and enjoy cultural activities like theatre inspired by Yannis Ritsos and culinary experiences with chefs like Alexandros Sperchos.

This year's fair will host more than 1,200 events featuring over 250 guests from 66 countries. Notably, ten countries including Iceland and Vietnam will join for the first time. The programme includes workshops in Arabic and English led by experts in publishing and creative writing, offering hands-on experiences for attendees.

The cultural programme will bring together 158 guests from 40 countries, including award-winning writers and artists. Over 300 events such as panel discussions and readings will showcase diverse creative works. Participants include international guests from 19 countries, Arab guests from 20 countries, and Emirati speakers sharing their insights.

The Sharjah Publishers Conference is scheduled for November 2-4. It will gather representatives from publishing houses and literary agents to discuss industry challenges through workshops and roundtable discussions. Key speakers include H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi and Madeline McIntosh.

Running alongside SIBF is the Sharjah International Library Conference from November 8-10. Organised with the American Library Association (ALA), it will host over 400 librarians and information professionals worldwide to discuss library science innovations.

Media Coverage

Mohammed Hassan Khalaf of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority highlighted their media partnership with SBA to broadcast the event globally. Coverage includes live broadcasts from Expo Centre Sharjah on various TV channels like Sharjah TV and Al Wusta TV, along with radio shows on Pulse 95 Radio.

Mohamed Al Amimi of e& UAE expressed pride in sponsoring SIBF again this year. He emphasised that culture and knowledge are vital for development, making the book fair a key platform for showcasing literary creations worldwide.

Legacy of SIBF

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri of SBA spoke about SIBF's legacy during a press conference attended by notable figures like Panagiotis Kougiou of the Greek Embassy in UAE. He noted that SIBF reflects H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision of books as a space for cultural dialogue.

SIBF continues to grow under H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi's leadership, reinforcing Sharjah's status as a global hub for knowledge while promoting Arabic literature worldwide.

The fair will feature a diverse range of publishers: 1,224 Arab publishing houses showcasing regional literature richness and 1,126 international publishers bringing global perspectives. This makes SIBF one of the most comprehensive literary gatherings globally.

SIBF also introduces the ‘Pop-Up Academy’ with interactive sessions led by influencers across literature, media, art, and technology to broaden cultural engagement innovatively.

With inputs from WAM