Sharjah Book Fair Draws Over 1.4 Million Visitors From 206 Countries

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair closed after a twelve-day run that brought in 1,400,730 visitors from 206 countries under the theme 'Between You and a Book'. This year’s edition gathered 2,350 publishing houses and exhibitors from 118 nations. According to organisers, Sharjah maintained its position for the fifth consecutive year as the world’s largest venue for the exchange of publishing rights. The Sharjah Publishers Conference drew 1,599 publishers from 116 countries and logged 3,321 rights discussions. Across its programme, the fair hosted more than 1,200 cultural, artistic and academic sessions, alongside 750 workshops featuring 28 international guests. Cookery Corner brought together 14 chefs for 35 live demonstrations, while the Poetry Café offered readings in Arabic, Greek, English, Russian, Urdu, Punjabi, Malayalam and Tagalog. Over 1,000 new titles were released during the fair. Egyptian author and playwright Mohamed Salmawy was named Cultural Personality of the Year for 2025. Greece, this year’s Guest of Honour, presented a 200-square-metre pavilion, contributions from 58 publishers and cultural organisations, and a showcase of 600 books in Greek and in translation. During the fair, AED 4.5 million was allocated for acquiring new works for public and government libraries, and participation fees were waived for Sudanese publishers to support their continued presence. Educational and cultural activities reached more than 125,890 schoolchildren. New features this year included the 360° Science Lab, the family stage play 'Hide and Seek', performances by composer Mohammed Alquhum, a Pop-Up Academy, the UK’s Poetry Pharmacy and a dedicated Podcast Station. Sharjah International Airport also introduced an exclusive SIBF 2025 passport stamp for arriving travellers, supported by airport-wide messaging promoting the event.