Sharjah Book Fair 2024 to Host 2,500+ Publishers, 1,350+ Activities

The Sharjah International Book Fair 2024 features 2,520 publishers, 1,350+ activities, and special guests from 63 countries, under the theme It Starts with a Book.

on Oct 08, 2024

The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is set to host its 43rd edition from November 6 to 17, 2024, at the Expo Centre Sharjah, under the theme 'It Starts with a Book.'. This year, the event will feature 2,520 publishers from 112 countries and over 1,350 activities. Besides that, the fair will host 400 authors signing their latest works and welcome 250 special guests from 63 countries.

The 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) will have Morocco as the Guest of Honour. The fair will present a variety of 600 workshops aimed at different age groups and will introduce a series of exclusive workshops led by international experts in creative writing.

During a press conference at SBA headquarters, His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, highlighted Sharjah's role as a global hub for knowledge and literature, inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Al Ameri noted that the theme ‘It Starts with a Book’ reflects the idea that books are at the heart of all human knowledge and progress.

This year’s edition will feature 2,522 exhibitors, with 835 hailing from the Arab world and 264 representing foreign publishers. The UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria are leading the Arab participation, while the United Kingdom and India are top international contributors.

The fair’s 500 cultural events will include panel discussions, readings, and creative workshops led by 134 distinguished guests, including Canadian theoretical physicist Prof. Lawrence M. Krauss, Pakistani novelist Amna Mufti, South African poet Iain S. Thomas, and UK historian Professor Peter Frankopan. The Book Signing Corner will showcase over 400 authors, giving attendees a chance to engage directly with writers from diverse literary backgrounds.

SIBF 2024 will also feature the return of the Thriller Festival, a four-day event from November 7 to 10 in collaboration with ThrillerFest NY, where renowned thriller and crime fiction authors will connect with fans. Additionally, the Poetry Nights segment will host poetry readings in six languages, accompanied by live musical performances.

The Cookery Corner will present 47 live cooking sessions, showcasing 17 chefs from 13 countries, while the Social Media Station will host daily workshops exploring AI-driven content creation and partnerships with influencers.

In honour of Morocco’s participation as the Guest of Honour, over 100 Moroccan cultural figures will present 107 events, including seminars, cinematic performances, and children’s activities. The Moroccan pavilion will also host culinary sessions at the Cookery Corner and a series of immersive workshops.