Sharjah International Book Fair Opens with 3,212 Publishers and a Celebration of Global Storytelling

The 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair opens tomorrow, bringing together nearly half a million titles and creative voices from across the globe under the theme 'Made of Stories'.

Tomorrow, the doors open at Expo Centre Sharjah to one of the world’s most comprehensive gatherings of publishers, writers and literary minds. The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair arrives as a testament to the enduring power of the written word, drawing 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, offering visitors access to 1.7 million titles spanning languages and genres both familiar and newly discovered.

Over twelve days through November 15, the fair unfolds as a celebration of storytelling in its many forms. Some 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events will draw 106 guests from 25 countries, weaving together fiction, poetry, history and science with theatrical performances, workshops and interactive experiences designed to engage visitors of all ages.

The Sultanate of Oman serves as Guest of Honour this year, presenting a rich cultural programme that explores its heritage and contemporary literary contributions. Fifty guests will participate, among them 41 writers and poets who will share 16 cultural discussions, present six children’s workshops and perform 20 artistic presentations, with daily musical and traditional folk performances celebrating Omani heritage.

Among the participating Omani voices are novelist Zahran Al Qasmi, poet Hassan Al Matroushi, winner of the Al Muallaqa Award for Classical Arabic Poetry, Dr Abdulaziz Al Omairi, winner of the Al Burda Award for Folk Poetry, and storyteller Ahmed bin Nasser Al Rashdi. The fair also honours Moroccan scholar Dr Said Yaktine as Cultural Personality of the Year, recognising more than four decades of contributions to Arabic narratology and literary criticism, work that has examined everything from classical Arabic narrative traditions to the impact of digital technology on modern literary practice.

The programme welcomes a constellation of Emirati literary figures, including Dr Sultan Al Amimi, Ali Abu Al Reesh, Dr Habib Ghuloom, Dr Shihab Ghanem, Dr Ahmed Khoury, Fathia Al Nimr, Aisha Sultan and Nasser Al Dhaheri, alongside international participants such as American writer and painter Daisy Rockwell, Chinese novelist Liu Zhenyun, Nigerian-American author Nnedi Okorafor and British novelist Clare Mackintosh. Lebanese actor and theatre director Rafiq Ali Ahmad joins the gathering, as does Sudanese novelist Dr Amir Tag Elsir and Kuwaiti novelist Saud Alsanousi.

Interactive experiences invite visitors into the creative process itself. ‘Poets’ Corner’ allows guests to share personal stories that are then transformed into poetry in Arabic or English, whilst ‘Future Hands District’ offers children an interactive educational city where they can explore different professions through hands-on activities. Three major theatrical productions require booking: When Memories Sing opens November 7 as a musical theatre show featuring familiar songs from Arab childhoods; Abdullah Annan presents Impossible or Science?! on November 8, combining optical illusions with scientific discovery; and Waterland runs November 14 and 15 in the outdoor theatre.

German novelist Daniela Tully will lead a creative writing course covering narrative voice, character development and the path to publication, whilst Egyptian actor and writer Khaled El Sawy offers ‘Acting Studio: From Training to the Stage’, exploring performance techniques and improvisation. The fifth Thriller Festival, running November 7 to 10 in collaboration with Capital Crime London and Thriller Festival New York, brings together specialists in crime, mystery and thriller writing.

The Cookery Corner celebrates culinary traditions through demonstrations by chefs including Mohammad Orfali from Syria, Salam Daqqaq from Palestine, Kausar Raja from Pakistan and Marina Georgallides from Greece, joined by Indian chefs Nitisha Patel, Romy Gill and Monisha Bharadwaj.

The Sharjah International Library Conference, November 7 to 9, will welcome more than 400 librarians and information professionals from academic, public, school and private libraries, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority in collaboration with the American Library Association. To ensure accessibility, free daily bus services run from Etisalat Metro Station in Dubai and City Centre Ajman at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, with return journeys at 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Free boat transport operates from Sharjah Aquarium Station and Al Qasba Station, whilst additional free parking with shuttle connections provides convenient access to the venue.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Sharjah International Book Fair stands as one of the region’s most significant cultural events, affirming the UAE’s commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and creative expression across the Arab world and beyond. For Abu Dhabi residents and visitors, the fair represents an unparalleled opportunity to engage with global literary culture at an intimate scale, meeting authors, participating in workshops and exploring ideas with creatives whose work shapes contemporary discourse.

The emphasis on accessibility through complimentary transport from Dubai and Ajman reflects the regional perspective that defines this gathering. For the broader Emirati cultural landscape, the fair’s celebration of Arab literary heritage, coupled with its embrace of international voices, reinforces the UAE’s role as a hub for intellectual and artistic dialogue, a place where traditions are honoured and new ideas are welcomed with equal measure.

Report supplied by the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs via the WAM News Agency.