Held under the theme ‘Between You and a Book’, the official agenda for the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), is set to run from November 5-16, 2025 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the world renowned fair will host more than 2,350 publishers and exhibitors representing 118 countries.

SIBF 2025 will host over 1,200 events and activities with participation from over 250 guests from 66 countries, including acclaimed authors, artists, and intellectuals.

The fair will also see 10 countries participating for the first time in the cultural programme, namely; Iceland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea, Senegal, and Vietnam.

The fair will also present an expanded series of pre-booked workshops in both Arabic and English, led by leading voices in publishing and creative writing.

In addition, 28 guest experts will host 750 workshops across diverse disciplines, offering insights and hands-on experiences for varied audiences.

This edition will also welcome Greece as the official Guest of Honour, with a special programme of activities featuring 70 participants including writers, poets, translators, illustrators, academics, musicians, actors, librarians, and publishing professionals.

The celebration will also spotlight Greece’s literary heritage, artistic excellence, and notable impact on world culture.

The announcement, made during a press conference at SBA headquarters, was attended by Ahmed Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; Panagiotis Kougiou, Chargé d'Affaires for the Greek Embassy in the United Arab Emirates; Mohammed Khalaf, Director-General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Mohammed Al Amimi, General Manager of e& UAE; Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF; and Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publishing Services at SBA.

Highlighting SIBF’s ongoing legacy during his opening remarks at the press conference, Al Ameri spoke of the important and personal bond between people and books; and how every reader’s interaction with the written word becomes part of their own life story, revealing something of who they are and the world they carry within.

He noted that this relationship between reader and book is what inspired this year’s theme, celebrating the dialogue and self-discovery that every reading experience invites.

He added, “Year after year, SIBF stands as a testament to the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has always believed in the book as the most expansive space for dialogue between cultures and civilisations. This journey continues today under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, whose efforts are reinforcing Sharjah’s status as a global hub for knowledge and creativity, while advancing the presence of Arabic literature across the world.” — SG