Sharjah named guest of honour at Warsaw International Book Fair 2026

Poland’s capital will celebrate and spotlight Emirati and Arab culture by naming the emirate of Sharjah as the Guest of Honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026, taking place from May 28 to 31. The selection recognises the emirate’s leading role in advancing knowledge, dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange, and reflects its continued success in positioning Arab civilisation within the global cultural landscape.

The announcement was made during the ongoing 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), following the signing of an agreement between the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and the History and Culture Foundation, organiser of the Warsaw International Book Fair. The signing took place in the presence of Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; Khoula Al Mujaini, Director of Events and Marketing at SBA; and Jacek Oryl, Director of the Warsaw International Book Fair and Vice President of the Foundation.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “Sharjah’s selection as Guest of Honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair reinforces its standing as a global capital of books and knowledge and as a bridge between cultures through literature, thought and creativity. Through our participation, we look forward to introducing new audiences to the richness of Arab and Emirati creativity and to deepening Sharjah’s dialogue with Central and Eastern Europe.”

For his part, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “The celebration of Sharjah as Guest of Honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair reflects the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who has long championed books and knowledge as instruments of human progress and connection. The emirate’s literary and cultural programme will be led by SBA, and highlight the depth and diversity of Emirati and Arab creativity, engaging writers, publishers, and translators from both regions.”

Jacek Oryl, Director of the Warsaw International Book Fair and Vice President of the History and Culture Foundation, said: ‘In recent years, cooperation between Poland and the UAE – and especially with the emirates that are deeply committed to promoting culture, such as Sharjah – has taken on a new, inspiring dimension. Sharjah's presence in Warsaw, while being a celebration of literature, will also give impetus to establishing lasting relationships between authors, publishers, agents and readers from the two countries."

Sharjah’s selection as Guest of Honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair continues its prominent role in representing Arab culture at major international literary events, following its acclaimed participations in Madrid, Paris, São Paulo, Bologna, and Seoul. Each milestone has reaffirmed Sharjah’s mission to serve as a bridge for cultural understanding and to uphold the enduring power of books in connecting nations and people.

As Guest of Honour in Warsaw, Sharjah will present a comprehensive cultural programme led by the Sharjah Book Authority, showcasing the emirate’s rich intellectual and creative landscape while strengthening the presence of Emirati and Arab talent in Europe. The programme will feature a diverse line-up of literary discussions, panel sessions, poetry readings, workshops, and artistic performances bringing together authors, publishers, and translators from the Arab world and Poland, alongside activities that highlight Emirati and Arab heritage and its contributions to global culture.

The Warsaw International Book Fair is one of the most prominent and long-standing cultural events in Poland and Europe. It was launched in the capital, Warsaw, in 1959 and has since become the key event in the Polish publishing sector.