44th Sharjah International Book Fair to host 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), running from November 5–16 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, promises to be an expansive celebration of reading, culture, and creative exchange. Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme “Between You and a Book,” this year’s edition underscores the deeply personal and transformative relationship between reader and text.

Global Publisher Participation

Expect over 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, bringing together both Arab and international perspectives in a massive display of literature. Among these, around 1,224 are Arab publishing houses and about 1,126 international publishers.

Greece: Guest of Honour

Greece takes centre stage this year. With 58 Greek publishers exhibiting some 600+ titles in both Greek and translated editions, the Greek pavilion is poised to be a cultural beacon. Beyond books, there will be artistic performances, lectures, literature translations, theatre, musicians, and more celebrating both ancient heritage and contemporary Greek creativity.

Cultural Programme & New Voices

Over 1,200 events and activities will be held, featuring 250+ guests from 66 countries—from authors and poets to translators and intellectuals.

Ten countries are participating in the cultural programme for the first time: Iceland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea, Senegal, and Vietnam. These new voices will enrich the fair’s tapestry with fresh experiences and perspectives.

Workshops, Innovation & Interactivity

A large array of pre-booked workshops in Arabic and English, as well as training sessions for publishing professionals, are designed to deepen engagement: from writing craft to digital publishing, translation rights, and beyond.

New interactive platforms like the Pop-Up Academy, Podcast Station, and the Poetry Pharmacy will allow visitors to engage more directly with culture –not just as spectators, but as participants.

Theme – Reading as Self-Discovery

“Between You and a Book” is more than a catchy slogan, which frames reading as a two-way journey: each reader encountering something new, and in the process seeing themselves in new light. The fair aims to explore how books shape identity, spark imagination, and connect cultures.

The chance to discover lesser-known literary traditions, especially from the countries new to the fair.

Enriching dialogues from panels and workshops that touch on modern challenges in publishing—digitization, translations, marketing, audio/ podcasting.

The possibility for aspiring writers, illustrators, translators, and librarians to connect with peers and experts.

Immersive experiences: poetry prescriptions, live shows, tasting cuisines associated with literature, and theatre. These help make the Fair a multi‑sensory experience.

Special programmes for young readers: interactive workshops, arts & crafts tied to story, performance.

With so many international publishers, language access (translations) will be key to meaningful engagement for non‑native speakers.

Crowd density and logistic planning (transport, crowd flow) tend to be issues in large fairs; arriving early or visiting on less busy days may improve the experience.

Many events may require pre‑booking, especially workshops; it’s wise to check schedules and register ahead.

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair looks set to be not only a massive display of literature, but also a deeply thoughtful one, designed to bridge the gap between you and the stories you encounter. Whether you are a reader, writer, publisher, or simply curious, there’s something here that speaks both to the head and the heart. It continues SIBF’s tradition of serving as a cultural crossroad—where diversity, dialogue, creativity, and imagination converge.