The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is set to take place from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah, featuring a diverse array of literary and cultural activities for attendees of all ages. Organised under the theme "Made of Stories," the event will bring together 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, alongside 1,500 cultural, creative, and artistic programs.
Oman has been designated as the Guest of Honour for this year’s fair, with a delegation of 50 participants including 41 writers and poets. The Omani representation will highlight the country’s literature, traditional music, cuisine, and heritage through 15 cultural sessions, six children's workshops, and 20 artistic performances, offering attendees a comprehensive insight into Oman’s cultural landscape.
The fair will welcome 106 writers, artists, and intellectuals from 25 countries. Notable international authors attending include Nigerian writer Nnedi Okorafor, British crime novelist Clare Mackintosh, Chinese author Liu Zhenyun, American translator and writer Daisy Rockwell, and American-Canadian author John Vaillant. Other participants include Indian actress and writer Shenaz Treasurywala, Filipino historian Ambeh R. Ocampo, and Syrian-Canadian novelist Zoula Katfout. Emirati contributors feature Sultan Al Ameemi, Ali Abu Al Reesh, Habib Ghuloom, Dubai Abulhoul, and Aisha Sultan.
Programming will encompass theatrical productions, workshops, literary discussions, and performances designed to engage both book enthusiasts and casual visitors. Among the highlights is Poets’ Corner, a space where visitors can share personal stories that professional poets will transform into verses in Arabic or English. Children can explore career possibilities in the Future Hands District, an interactive educational zone offering insights into various professions.
Families will have the option to attend three major stage productions, which require advance booking. These include the musical *When Memories Sing*, premiering on November 7, which reflects on childhood songs and memories across generations. The science-themed *Impossible or Science?!*, scheduled for November 8, blends optical illusions and audience participation to explain scientific concepts. On November 14 and 15, the outdoor stage will feature *Waterland*, a performance showcasing regional talent.
For aspiring writers, specialised creative writing workshops will be led by German novelist Daniela Tully, while Egyptian actor Khaled El Sawy will conduct sessions on acting, improvisation, and character development. Mystery and suspense enthusiasts can attend the fifth Thriller Festival from November 7 to 10, featuring more than a dozen crime fiction writers, literary agents, and screenwriters including Clare Mackintosh, Karen Dionne, Weasem Khan, Abir Mukherjee, and David Fennel.
Food lovers will find live cooking demonstrations at the Cookery Corner, with international chefs such as Pakistani-British Kausar Raja and Indian Romy Gill presenting their culinary skills.
Beyond the public events, the fair will host professional development opportunities, beginning with a training programme organised in collaboration with New York University starting October 31. This will be followed by the Sharjah Publishers Conference from November 1 to 3 and the Sharjah International Library Conference from November 7 to 9, which is expected to gather more than 400 librarians and information professionals.
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, described the event as a reflection of Sharjah’s enduring dedication to promoting books and knowledge, noting that the fair celebrates storytelling as a foundational element of cultural identity and intergenerational memory.