Sharjah International Book Fair – The 11-day event, which started in 1982 under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the UAESupreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, is a leading literary event that profiles the written work throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Having built itself a formidable reputation in its past 41 editions, SIBF today is recognized as one of the world’s top publishing events, and is the largest in the Arab world.
Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) set a Guinness World Record in 2019, successfully hosting the world’s largest simultaneous book signing ceremony with 1502 authors from UAE and beyond signing their own books. The book fair is considered to be one of the largest fairs in the world and saw 2.17 million visitors attend in 2022. Through SIBF 2022 slogan ‘Spread the Word’, the international book fair conveys the message: “Words can build the future and change realities, so befriend and stay close to them”. It hosted 2213 publishing houses from 99 countries, with 1.5 million + titles on display, including 80,000 new titles. Those that attend can expect to discover new titles that are hard to find. The event also features a lineup of book signings, workshops and panel discussions. It has been reported that UK and European publishers who attended past Sharjah International Book Fairs, said the fair had brought in new business opportunities for them.
SIBF 2022 hosted 2,213 publishers, comprising 1,298 from the Arab region and 915 from around the world. Under the book fair’s cultural program this year, SIBF hosted 150 distinguished authors, intellectuals and creatives who led 1,500 activities and sessions including 200 activities encompassing workshops, talks, and seminars.
SIBF 2022 celebrated Italy as the Guest of Honor, hosted a galaxy of authors, sports personalities, intellectuals, artists, popular cinema icons from the Arab region and the Subcontinent, and a host of specialized experts to drive home Sharjah’s cultural campaign to the world, ‘If you’re into something, you’re into books’. It also offered a diverse array of activities including music, arts, poetry evenings, and more under its cultural program.
SIBF 2022 welcomed footballing legend Zlatan Ibrahimović; India’s most celebrated actor Shah Rukh Khan – popularly known as the King of Bollywood; Egyptian actor Karim Abdul Aziz, lead star of The Blue Elephant; Egypt’s renowned action hero Ahmed El Sakka; and Saudi Arabia’s prized musician Abadi Al Johar, amongst a host of other cultural celebrities.
Sudanese historian Yusuf Fadl Hasan was celebrated as ‘Cultural Personality’ of SIBF 2022 while the fair also hosted a distinguished group of regional and international guests in the 41st edition, including Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka, winner of the 2022 Booker Prize; Geetanjali Shree, Hindi-language author and winner of the International Booker prize; Algerian novelist Waciny Laredj, Egyptian writer Ahmad Mourad, and author Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, amongst others.
Over the course of 12 days, SIBF hosted more than 200 cultural discussions to enrich and educate the visitors.
SIBF2022 also shed light on the African experience in literature through the African – Arab Cultural Program and celebrated writers of the contemporary diaspora with a special program encompassing performances and activities in literature, art, fashion, and music.
The annual book fair, which places publishers at the heart of the cultural event, opened opportunities for professionals in the industry to network, matchmake, and forge partnerships. 26 publishing houses from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, India, UK, Morocco, Algeria, Tunis and UAE, are embarking on a new journey to make inroads in the region and beyond by signing up to avail the support facilities and services at the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the international book fair enables visitors to meet Booker Prize laureates, international screenwriters, and artists, in addition to exploring countries from around the world through publishers’ pavilions, Cookery Station, and a diverse agenda of activities that comprise musical performances, plays, and theatrical shows. SIBF gives book lovers the chance to browse through millions of books and buy them at great prices.
SIBF 2023 was from November 01 to November 12, at Sharjah Expo Centre.
The 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023) has concluded, achieving a significant milestone by retaining its title as the world’s largest book fair for the third consecutive year. The event showcased an impressive collection of over 15 million books, spanning diverse fields of knowledge and creativity.
With the participation of 2,033 publishers from 109 countries, SIBF 2023 marked a remarkable year of achievements, boasting the highest number of participating countries in its history. The fair, themed ‘We Speak Books,’ engaged visitors from 109 countries, attracting book enthusiasts, students, academics, intellectuals, and professionals in the creative industries.
South Korea took center stage as the Guest of Honour, drawing substantial attention with its pavilion witnessing a remarkable influx of visitors. Renowned figures such as Iraqi superstar Kadim Al Sahir, author and comedian Bassem Youssef, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Indian actress Kareena Kapoor, American astronaut Sunitha Williams, and Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell graced the event, sharing their experiences and launching their latest works.
The event hosted 2,033 publishers, presented over 1.5 million titles, and organized 1,700 events led by 215 guests from 69 countries, including 127 prominent Arab and international writers and artists from 33 countries. The successful conclusion of SIBF 2023 reinforces Sharjah’s role as a hub of knowledge and creativity, fulfilling the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.
Shivangi Menon Sreekumar, Level 4 student Dubai.