Under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) kicked off at Expo Centre Sharjah, running until the evening of November 17, 2024. This year’s edition features 2,522 publishers and exhibitors from 112 countries, alongside 400 authors signing their new books, including a selection of prominent Arab and international literary and artistic figures. The event’s schedule includes 1,357 activities, involving more than 250 guests from 63 countries, aimed at all ages and interests.
This year’s fair, themed “It starts with a book,” focuses on honoring Morocco as the Guest of Honour, highlighting Moroccan culture with a variety of literary and artistic contributions. The fair also includes 600 workshops catering to all age groups and, for the first time, offers specialized workshops requiring pre-registration, where participants have the opportunity to engage with experts in creative writing from around the Arab world and beyond.
A total of 835 Arab publishing houses and 264 international ones are participating in this year’s fair. The United Arab Emirates leads the Arab participants with 234 publishers, followed by Egypt with 172, Lebanon with 88, and Syria with 58. Internationally, the United Kingdom is represented by 81 publishers, followed by India with 52.
The fair also hosts a notable lineup of literary and artistic personalities, including recipients of prestigious global and Arab awards. A distinguished gathering of 134 guests from 32 countries is participating in the event, presenting 500 cultural activities that range from panel discussions and readings to workshops and inspiring sessions across various creative fields. This roster of participants includes 49 international guests from 14 countries, 45 Arab guests from 17 countries, and 40 speakers from the UAE.
