Bedour Al Qasimi: “Sharjah Book Fair” is a Window for Dialogue with the World
The Sharjah International Book Fair is a unique cultural event where the Emirate of Sharjah opens its doors annually to welcome literature enthusiasts from around the globe. All eyes will be on November as the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair approaches—an event that reflects the deep cultural spirit of the emirate and brings together authors and readers in an exceptional experience that encourages intellectual dialogue and cultural exchange.
On July 7, 2026, the Sharjah Book Authority announced the dates for the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which will gather readers, writers, publishers, translators, and knowledge creators from around the world over 12 days, from November 4 to 15, at the Sharjah Expo Centre. This year’s edition represents a new milestone in the fair’s journey, having established itself as an annual gathering for books, culture, and the publishing industry, featuring a comprehensive program that includes the presence of publishing houses, literary and intellectual meetings, activities aimed at children and youth, and specialized professional tracks.
Her Highness Sheikha Bedour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Authority’s Board of Directors, emphasized that the fair reflects the relationship Sharjah has built with books over decades, making reading a part of the lives of families, children, and youth. She noted that the fair has solidified the role of books in the community over more than 45 years and has opened broader avenues for Arab culture to engage in dialogue with the world. She stated, “Each edition of the fair carries a new responsibility towards the reader, the writer, and the publisher. The direct relationship between a person and a book creates a positive cultural impact and gives the fair its value in society. The fair allows cultures to present their literature and ideas in their languages and experiences, offering the public a chance to explore them through their writers and creators. At the same time, it broadens the space for Arabic literature to engage in equitable dialogue with the world and brings it closer to new readers.”
Integrated Vision
Ahmad bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Authority, stated: “The fair is one of the most expressive projects of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi’s vision regarding the achievement of development and the advancement of communities through investment in knowledge. It celebrates the book as a civilizational project and provides all stakeholders in the knowledge industry with a global platform for communication, collaboration, and work—from readers to writers, publishers, artists, distributors, and librarians. It has successfully changed society’s perception of book fairs, becoming an inclusive event for all forms of communication and knowledge, and a model for the status and presence of Arab culture worldwide.”
Al Ameri added: “Under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Bedour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the fair continues to develop its programs and expand its international presence, celebrating the cultures of the world on Sharjah’s soil, especially through the Guest of Honor program, which has become a comprehensive pathway for introducing the culture of a specific country through its literature, arts, and intellectual history. This opens wider avenues for communication between institutions and creators and provides the public with a deeper understanding of the participating cultural experiences.”
Oman’s Heritage at the Fair
The Sultanate of Oman will be the Guest of Honor at the 45th edition of the fair, participating to highlight its civilizational heritage and cultural, literary, and artistic scene while introducing the audience to the contributions of its writers, thinkers, and creators. The Omani presence adds a Gulf and Arab dimension that enhances cultural exchange and allows for direct meetings between the audience and a selection of literary and intellectual voices from the sultanate.
The cultural and professional program of the fair includes meetings with writers and thinkers, panel discussions, book signing events, poetry evenings, knowledge and creative workshops, and programs dedicated to children and youth, in addition to activities targeting professionals in the publishing, translation, and library sectors. This diversity provides visitors with multiple pathways to purchase books and meet their authors, as well as participate in discussions and acquire new skills and knowledge.
The Sharjah Book Authority has opened registration for local, Arab, and international publishing houses and institutions involved in the book industry through the exhibitors’ platform, allowing publishers to create accounts, enter participation details, and manage the specifics of their publications and required materials as part of the registration process at the following link: https://exhibitor.sibf.com/en/register/exhibitor/details.