Exploring the Cultural Impact of the Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah: The 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) concluded after twelve dynamic days, drawing 1,400,730 visitors from 206 countries. The fair once again demonstrated Sharjah’s growing influence as a global centre for publishing, literary exchange, and international cultural dialogue. Held under the theme “Between You and a Book,” this year’s event united 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries. It creating an international space for sharing ideas and expanding cross-cultural understanding.
A leading global hub for publishing rights
For the fifth consecutive year, Sharjah maintained its position as the world’s largest marketplace for publishing rights, with the Sharjah Publishers Conference bringing together 1,599 publishers from 116 countries. Organisers recorded 3,321 rights discussions, highlighting the fair’s importance as a hub for business negotiations, creative partnerships, and professional networking across the global book industry.
Demographic insights revealed strong engagement. It visitors aged 35 to 44 made up 29% of the total turnout, while the 25 to 34 age group accounted for 28%. More than 125,890 schoolchildren attended educational and cultural sessions, and marine shuttles linking Al Qasba and Sharjah Aquarium served 87,674 passengers. Satisfaction levels reached 96.3% among visitors and 90.91% among exhibitors, underscoring the event’s continued success.
Sharjah’s cultural mission and support initiatives
The growth of the fair reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. During the event, AED 4.5 million was allocated to purchase newly released titles for public and government libraries. It enhancing community access to current publications.
Under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). It organisers also waived participation fees for Sudanese publishers to support those facing humanitarian and financial difficulties. This step ensured the continued representation of Sudanese writers and cultural voices on the international publishing stage.
SBA CEO Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri highlighted that the 44th SIBF placed the reader at the heart of the experience. He noted that the presence of visitors from 198 nationalities reaffirmed Sharjah’s standing as a global crossroads for cultural dialogue. It reflecting the emirate’s belief that books play a vital role in advancing both intellectual and social development.
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Honoured personalities, special guests, and international participation
Egyptian author and playwright Mohamed Salmawy received the title of Cultural Personality of the Year for 2025. Greece, the Guest of Honour for this edition, presented its cultural and literary heritage through a 200-square-metre pavilion featuring 58 publishers and cultural organisations. It along with 600 works in Greek and translated languages.
Throughout its twelve-day run, SIBF hosted more than 1,200 sessions, including cultural discussions, artistic showcases, and academic talks. Over 750 workshops were held with the participation of 28 international experts. The Cookery Corner featured 14 renowned chefs presenting 35 live demonstrations. The Poetry Café welcomed multilingual readings in Arabic, Greek, English, Russian, Urdu, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Tagalog. More than 1,000 new book titles were launched during the fair.
Interactive experiences and expanded programming
Visitor engagement was elevated through interactive and family-friendly programming, including the 360° Science Lab led by Abdullah Annan. The theatrical production “Hide and Seek,” and musical performances by composer Mohammed Alquhum. New attractions featured the Pop-Up Academy, the UK’s Poetry Pharmacy, and a dedicated Podcast Station tailored for regional audiences.
High-profile guests such as Will Smith, Dr. Sultan Al Ameemi, Dr. Zahi Hawass, Taleb Al Refai, Dr. Wasim Al Sisi, Mo Gawdat, Khaled El Sawy, Dhafer L’Abidine, Carlo Rovelli, and Paul Lynch contributed to the fair’s vibrant and diverse environment.
To celebrate the event, the SBA collaborated with national authorities to introduce a special SIBF 2025 passport stamp for travellers arriving at Sharjah International Airport. It along with promotional messaging throughout the airport that emphasised Sharjah’s role as a global gateway to culture and learning.
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