The 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair will take place under the theme “It Takes a Story,” welcoming 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries around the world at Expo Centre Sharjah from November 4 to 15. The fair will celebrate the work of 106 creatives and writers from 25 Arab and foreign countries, who will participate in presenting 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events.
اضافة اعلان
The announcement was made during a press conference held by the Sharjah Book Authority at its headquarters in Sharjah. The authority revealed that the Sultanate of Oman had been selected as the guest of honour for the new edition and outlined the professional programme accompanying the fair for publishers. It also announced the dates of the Thriller Festival and the Libraries Conference, along with new experiences awaiting visitors, including the “Poets’ Corner,” where visitors’ stories will be transformed into poems in Arabic and English, and “Future Hands District,” an interactive educational city designed to help children explore different professions.
Stories passed down through generations
Speaking at the press conference, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “For 45 years, the Sharjah International Book Fair has told a story that began with the book and whose chapters have expanded to bring together readers, writers, publishers and creatives from around the world.
This year’s theme, ‘It Takes a Story,’ reflects the role of the stories we read, hear and pass down in shaping our memories, identities and view of the world, as well as the stories we create and leave for future generations.”
Celebrating Omani culture
Ahmed bin Saud bin Nasser Al Rawahi, Assistant Director-General for Knowledge and Cultural Development at Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and director of the Muscat International Book Fair, delivered a speech on behalf of Oman, the guest of honour at the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair.
“We consider this celebration an expression of appreciation for the Sultanate of Oman and its culture, and an extension of the bonds of friendship and communication between our two countries and peoples. We see Oman’s selection as guest of honour as a natural extension of the deep-rooted Omani-Emirati relations shaped by history and strengthened by brotherhood and neighbourly ties,” he said.
“We have sought to make Oman’s participation a window through which Sharjah can look towards Oman and Oman towards Sharjah, as well as a space to introduce its history, collective memory and cultural achievements. It will also provide a platform for dialogue, exchange and mutual understanding through a programme featuring literary and intellectual seminars, discussions, poetry evenings, historical and cultural events, and workshops for children and young people.”
The current edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair features 2,673 publishing houses, including 1,151 Arab publishers and 1,122 international publishers, showcasing publications in various languages across literature, thought, science, knowledge, children’s books and other fields.
This year’s fair will present 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, featuring 106 guests from 25 countries. The programme includes panel discussions, literary meetings, workshops, interactive activities, theatrical performances and artistic shows, alongside programmes for children, families and those interested in writing and the arts.
The cultural programme brings together a group of writers, novelists, poets, thinkers and researchers from the UAE, the Arab world and other countries to discuss a range of topics, including literature, fiction, poetry and literary criticism.
This edition will host a number of Emirati writers, thinkers, poets and artists, as well as prominent Arab literary figures, writers, intellectuals and artists. They include Moroccan researcher and academic Dr Said Yaktine, who specialises in narrative studies, literary theory and digital literature; Lebanese actor, author and director Rafic Ali Ahmad; and Lebanese novelist and journalist Najwa Barakat. Other Arab guests include Sudanese novelist Dr Amir Tag Elsir, Kuwaiti novelist Saud Alsanousi and Syrian writer Zulfa Qatouh.
The fair will also welcome a distinguished group of international writers, researchers and creatives.
Its programme will feature a variety of workshops for children and adults, including two specialised courses available by advance booking. The first will be led by German novelist Daniela Tully and will cover developing a narrative voice, building characters, writing dialogue, editing and the stages leading to publication. The second, led by Egyptian artist and writer Khaled El Sawy, is titled “Acting Studio: From Training to the Stage” and will explore performance techniques, character development and improvisation.
The fair will feature three major theatrical productions this year, all requiring advance booking. The first, a musical theatre performance titled “When Memories Sing,” will be staged on November 7. It will premiere exclusively at the Sharjah International Book Fair and revisit childhood songs and melodies associated with the memories of generations of audiences.
The professional events accompanying the fair will begin with a publisher training course scheduled for October 31, 2026, in cooperation with New York University. More than 200 publishers from 17 countries are expected to take part. The course is part of the Sharjah Book Authority’s specialised programmes aimed at developing publishers’ capabilities and strengthening their understanding of changes in the book industry.
The course will address several professional topics, including global developments in the audiobook market, video marketing strategies and social media platforms, international translation rights markets, and the exchange of content and cultural assets between markets.
The 16th Publishers Conference will be held from November 1 to 3, bringing together publishers and professionals from the publishing industry. Representatives from nine countries will participate for the first time: Angola, Aruba, Belarus, Burundi, Cambodia, Cabo Verde, Myanmar, Trinidad and Tobago, and Niger.
This year’s conference will focus on the theme “Publishing in a Fast-Paced Era,” with more than 30 sessions and workshops examining global changes affecting the publishing sector. Key topics will include the use of artificial intelligence, developments in the audiobook market, the exchange of publishing rights, children’s book publishing and strengthening the role of graphic novels and comics in the book industry.
Source: Al-Ghad.
