Photos: Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 kicks off

Visitors on the opening day of Sharjah International Book Fair at Sharjah Expo Centre. Under the theme “We Speak Books’, the 2023 edition of SIBF runs from November 1 to 12 with the participation of 2,033 publishers from 108 countries.

Joining them are publishers, distributors, translators, and bibliophiles, surrounded by more than 1.5 million titles from seven continents.

SIBF is open to the public daily at Expo Sharjah from November 1 to 12, Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 10pm, Friday from 4pm to 11pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 11pm.

SIBF 2023, themed ‘We Speak Books’, this year celebrates South Korea as the Guest of Honour, presenting its cultural heritage and contemporary contributions alongside 2,033 publishers representing their respective nations.

As many as 1,043 Arab and 990 international publishers will present over 1.5 million titles, including 800,000 in Arabic and 700,000 in other languages at SIBF 2023.

UAE leads the list of Arabic participants with 300 publishers showcasing their latest works, followed by Egypt with 284, Lebanon with 94, and Syria with 62. On the international front, publishers from India, the UK, and Turkey top the list of participations.

89 year old Ali Fardan on the opening day of Sharjah International Book Fair.

SIBF 2023 will host prominent Emirati writers, thinkers, and poets, including figures such as poet and researcher Khaled Al-Badou, author Dr Mashael Al Nabooda, author and journalist Adel Khozam, author and journalist Mohammed Al Jokar, researcher and author Suad Al-Araimi, author Fathia Al Nimr, author Dr Aisha Al-Ghais, author Saeed Al Badi, and others.

This year, SIBF 2023 will host Nigerian author Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate in Literature in 1986; Canadian journalist, author, and public speaker Malcolm Gladwell; Indian actress Kareena Kapoor; Swedish behavioural expert, bestselling author, and active lecturer Thomas Erikson; Bulgarian author and poet Georgi Gospodinov; Vaclav Smil, Czech-Canadian scientist and author known for his expertise in energy, environment, and technology; American astronaut Sunitha Williams; Dutch author, speaker, and life coach Swami Purnachaitanya; Indian author Monica Halan, and many others.

SIBF 2023 will be home to more than 1,700 activities led by 215 guests from 69 countries. This includes 460 cultural activities led by 127 Arab and international guests, including renowned writers, thinkers, intellectuals, and artists, and Nobel laureates in literature, and recipients of prestigious Arab and international awards.

Furthermore, 900 workshops will be held in six interactive spaces led by 31 guests from 12 countries.

Throughout the 12-day book fair, the Social Media Station will host workshops and specialised sessions covering a diverse range of topics, including enhancing partnerships and collaborations with social media influencers and trends, artificial intelligence, as well as the production of AI-enhanced content.