Sharjah International Book Fair 2025: Dates, theme, and exciting new additions revealed
Experience global literature, workshops, and cultural performances at Expo Centre Sharjah
DUBAI – The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), one of the largest book festivals in the world, is set to return for its 44th edition from November 5 to 16, 2025, at Expo Centre Sharjah.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year’s theme, “Between You and a Book,” explores the deep, personal connection between readers and the written word.
With 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, more than 1,200 events and activities, and 250 guests from 66 nations, this year’s fair promises to be the biggest yet. New countries joining the line-up include Iceland, Jamaica, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea, Senegal, and Vietnam – reflecting the fair’s ever-growing global appeal.
SIBF 2025 theme
This year’s theme, “Between You and a Book,” celebrates how literature connects people across borders and generations. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the SBA, explained that every reader’s interaction with a book becomes part of their life story – shaping their world and revealing who they are.
Visitors can expect pavilions filled with books that not only tell stories but also help readers discover themselves, underlining Sharjah’s role as a global capital of culture and creativity.
Guest of Honour
The Guest of Honour for 2025 is Greece, a nation celebrated for its contributions to literature, philosophy, and art. The Greek pavilion, designed to resemble ancient temples, will feature 600 titles from 58 publishers and 70 Greek participants, including writers, poets, translators, illustrators, musicians, and academics.
Highlights will include Greek language workshops, musical performances, and sessions inspired by Greek mythology. “We invite visitors to explore the richness of Greek language, thought, and art,” said Panagiotis Kougiou, Chargé d’Affaires at the Greek Embassy in the UAE.
What activities can visitors expect?
SIBF 2025 offers a vibrant mix of cultural, creative, and interactive experiences. More than 300 cultural events will be led by 158 Arab and international guests, while 750 workshops in both Arabic and English will cover writing, editing, publishing, and creative skills. Visitors can also enjoy 85 stage performances from 12 different countries.
Among the featured names are Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Mohammed Suleiman Abdulmalik, Abdulwahab Al-Refaie, and Lisa Dillman, who will lead sessions for aspiring writers and editors.
New highlights this year include the Poetry Pharmacy (UK), where visitors can receive personalised “prescriptions” of poems to match their moods – a unique fusion of art and therapy. Another innovation is the Podcast Station, hosting live recordings of popular Arabic podcasts such as Asmar (Saudi Arabia), Karakpodcast (Oman), and Kirsi Al Ithnayn (UAE).
Cooking enthusiasts will love the Cookery Corner, which features 42 live demonstrations by 15 chefs, including Philip Khoury, Mama Wafaa, Noor Murad, and Hawa Hassan.
How is SIBF supporting the publishing world?
Beyond exhibitions and workshops, SIBF plays a vital role in strengthening the publishing ecosystem. Ahead of the fair, the Publishers’ Training with NYU on November 1 will host 161 publishers, focusing on audio publishing and global distribution.
From November 2 to 4, the Sharjah Publishers Conference will feature 30 workshops and business meetings with international publishing experts. Later, the Sharjah International Library Conference (November 8–10) will bring together 400 librarians and information professionals to discuss the future of libraries and reading habits.
Where and how to visit?
The event takes place at Expo Centre Sharjah, easily accessible for residents and visitors alike. To ensure smooth transport, free shuttle buses will run between Dubai and Sharjah, with stops at Sharjah Aquarium Station. Visitors can also park at Al Qasba, Sharjah Aquarium, or directly at the Expo Centre.
Extra parking and shuttle services will be available to manage the high turnout expected for the 12-day cultural celebration.