Sharjah Book Fair wraps up with over 1.4 million visitors from 206 countries

Sharjah: After twelve active days, the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) wrapped up, reporting 1,400,730 attendees representing 206 countries. The event confirmed Sharjah’s influence as a significant global meeting point for publishing, literary trade, and cross-cultural cooperation. The fair adopted the theme “Between You and a Book”. This edition brought together 2,350 publishing houses and exhibitors from 118 nations, creating an arena for exchanging knowledge and sharing cultural perspectives.

Sharjah sustained its standing as the world’s largest venue for the exchange of publishing rights, maintaining this position for the fifth year running. The Sharjah Publishers Conference included 1,599 publishers spanning 116 countries, with a total of 3,321 rights discussions recorded. Such an environment for rights trading attracted global notice and reinforced Sharjah’s standing as a centre for business and creative interaction within the book industry.

Statistics revealed a wide draw: attendees aged 35 to 44 accounted for 29%, while those between 25 and 34 represented 28%. Educational and cultural sessions reached over 125,890 schoolchildren. Marine shuttles running between Al Qasba and the Sharjah Aquarium transported 87,674 passengers. Satisfaction scores were reported at 96.3% for visitors and 90.91% for exhibitors.

The event’s evolution reflects the enduring cultural blueprint led by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. During the fair, AED 4.5 million was allocated for the acquisition of new works exhibited at the fair for both public and government library collections, broadening public access to recently published content.

Guided by Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), organisers implemented a full participation fee waiver for Sudanese publishers. This measure aimed to support publishers facing financial and humanitarian challenges, safeguarding the presence and active participation of Sudanese authors and cultural figures on both regional and global publishing platforms.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, remarked: “The 44th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair focused on the reader as the foundation of knowledge. With the theme ‘Between You and a Book’, it offered a personal reading experience where each visitor found a space that spoke to them and sparked their curiosity.”

He also stated: “The presence of visitors from 198 nationalities reaffirmed Sharjah’s status as a global hub for cultural dialogue. It reflects the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, who sees books as essential to intellectual and social progress. Under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, we remain committed to making the fair a space where knowledge and culture meet, where ideas are lived, and where readers deepen their understanding of the world around them.”

Egyptian author and playwright Mohamed Salmawy was recognised as the Cultural Personality of the Year for 2025 at the fair. Greece was featured as Guest of Honour, highlighting its literary and historic legacy within a 200-square-metre display space. This included participation from 58 publishers and cultural entities, along with 600 books available in both Greek and translated formats.

Throughout its twelve days, the event staged over 1,200 cultural, artistic, and academic sessions. More than 750 workshops featured 28 international figures. Cookery Corner brought together 14 chefs for 35 live culinary performances. The Poetry Café hosted readings in Arabic, Greek, English, Russian, Urdu, Punjabi, Malayalam, and Tagalog. Over 1,000 new book releases took place during the fair.

Interactive elements increased visitor engagement: the 360° Science Lab, headed by Abdullah Annan, presented vivid chemistry displays, while the play “Hide and Seek” was staged for family audiences. Musical presentations included live performances by composer Mohammed Alquhum. Fresh additions comprised the Pop-Up Academy, the UK’s Poetry Pharmacy, and a dedicated Podcast Station serving the region.

The fair’s schedule was enhanced by appearances from figures 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, each contributing to a lively and varied atmosphere.

The SBA, in coordination with national agencies, also introduced an exclusive SIBF 2025 passport stamp for arriving travellers at Sharjah International Airport. Messaging throughout the airport supported this campaign, underscoring Sharjah’s identity as a prominent access point for literature and learning.