The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) will take place at Expo Centre Sharjah from November 4 to 15, bringing together publishers, authors and cultural figures from around the world.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year’s fair will feature exhibitors from 124 countries and welcome 106 writers, artists and intellectuals from 25 countries.
Under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, the programme will include literary discussions, poetry sessions, workshops, theatrical performances and interactive activities for children and adults.
Oman will be the Guest of Honour, with events highlighting its literature, heritage, cuisine and artistic traditions.
New experiences for families and children
Visitors can explore new attractions designed to make the fair more interactive for families.
‘Poets’ Corner’ will allow visitors to have their stories transformed into poems in Arabic and English. The ‘Future Hands District’ will introduce children to different professions through an interactive educational city.
The programme will also include children’s workshops, live performances and cooking demonstrations featuring Arab and international chefs.
Three theatrical productions will require advance booking. These include the musical ‘When Memories Sing’ on November 7, the interactive science show ‘Impossible or Science?!’ on November 8, and ‘Waterland’ on November 14 and 15.
The organisers are expected to provide further details about visitor arrangements and transport in the coming days.
Oman takes centre stage
Oman’s participation will include 50 representatives, including 41 writers and poets, with a programme exploring the country’s cultural identity and literary traditions.
The schedule will feature 15 cultural sessions, six children’s workshops and 20 artistic performances, including traditional folk and musical presentations.
Visitors will also be able to explore Omani cuisine through dedicated cooking sessions.
The programme will feature writers and poets including Zahran Al Qasmi, Mohammed Al Yahyai and Hassan Al Matrooshi, alongside other literary and cultural figures.
Thriller Festival returns to Sharjah
The fifth edition of the Thriller Festival will run from November 7 to 10 in collaboration with Capital Crime London and Thriller Festival New York.
More than 12 specialists from crime, mystery and thriller writing, publishing and screenwriting are expected to participate.
International guests will include British novelist Clare Mackintosh, American author Karen Dionne and British writer Abir Mukherjee. Emirati and Arab writers will also take part in discussions and sessions.
Publishers’ events begin before the fair
Professional events will start ahead of the main exhibition, offering opportunities for publishers and library professionals to discuss developments in the book industry.
The Publishers’ Training Programme will begin on October 31 in collaboration with New York University, bringing together more than 200 publishers from 17 countries. Sessions will cover audiobooks, social media marketing, translation rights and international publishing trends.
The 16th Sharjah Publishers Conference will follow from November 1 to 3, with more than 30 sessions and workshops on topics including artificial intelligence, publishing rights, children’s books and comics.
The Sharjah International Library Conference will take place from November 7 to 9 in partnership with the American Library Association. It will bring together more than 400 library and information professionals.
Parking and transport arrangements
The Sharjah Book Authority is coordinating with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority to identify additional parking areas and arrange transport services to and from Expo Centre Sharjah.
Further details about the arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Visitors can expect a 12-day programme combining books, cultural events, family entertainment and professional activities, with the main fair running from November 4 to 15.
