SIBF 2025 Set To Celebrate Global Voices With Innovative Literary Events

The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 will take place from 5th to 16th November at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this 44th edition, themed "Between You and a Book," promises to enhance its reputation as a leading global book fair. The event will feature new elements and activities designed to engage visitors with literature and culture in fresh, interactive ways.

Among the novel features is the "Pop-Up Academy," an engaging platform offering sessions led by influencers and experts in literature, media, art, and technology. This initiative aims to expand cultural discussions and encourage participation in creative fields. Additionally, the UK’s "Poetry Pharmacy" will make its debut, providing visitors with personalised poetry prescriptions in bilingual Arabic and English bottles, turning poetry into a playful therapeutic experience.

SIBF 2025 will also introduce a dedicated "Podcast Station," reflecting the region’s growing interest in digital audio culture. Visitors can interact with popular Arabic podcast programmes such as "Asmar", "Jolan", "Karakpodcast", "Kirsi Al Ithnayn", "Takhayyal", and "Arab Cast". This station offers live recording opportunities and interactions with podcast hosts, merging traditional literary formats with modern media trends.

The cultural programme celebrates creative writing through the "Poetry Corner," hosting a series of "Poetry Nights." These events will showcase multilingual voices in Arabic, English, Urdu, Punjabi, Tagalog, Malayalam, Greek, and Russian. Featured poets include Hamad Al Braidi from Qatar, known for his blend of traditional and contemporary poetry; Hamad Al Saeed from Kuwait; Saeed Al Mani’ from Saudi Arabia; Siozou Danai from Greece; Saara Ali from Canada; Ataul Haq Qasmi from Pakistan; Syed Suleman Gilani also from Pakistan; Mikhail Levantovskiy and Maxim Zamshev from Russia; Luna Sicat Cleto from the Philippines; and K. Satchidanandan from India.

The SBA Community Book Club Sessions will debut at SIBF25, featuring lively discussions between readers and acclaimed authors like Banu Mushtaq, winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize for "Heart Lamp," and Jeffrey Mason, founder of ‘Hear Your Story’. These sessions advocate for personal storytelling through engaging dialogues.

SIBF will also host the 4th edition of the "Thriller Festival" from 8th to 11th November in collaboration with Thriller Festival New York. A highlight is the interactive murder mystery play "Murder at the Majlis," scheduled for 8th November. Commissioned by SBA, this production showcases local talent including writer Bhoomika Ghaghada, editor Fatima AlJarman, director Tarun Shyam, students from American University of Sharjah, and is produced by Street FZC agency.

This year’s book fair promises an enriching experience with its diverse range of events that blend Emirati culture with immersive storytelling. The introduction of new features like the Pop-Up Academy and Podcast Station reflects SIBF's commitment to evolving literary engagement while maintaining its status as a prestigious global event.

With inputs from WAM