Every year, the world’s literary circuits recalibrate when one of the major hubs opens its doors. In November 2025, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is set to host a spectacular edition. This premier book fare will run from November 5 to November 16 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, welcoming publishers, authors and readers from across the globe. Under the theme “Between You and a Book”, the fair explores the intimate connection each reader shares with their books
The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair 2025
Event Details
- Dates: November 5–16, 2025
- Location: Expo Centre Sharjah, Al Taawun Street
- Operating Hours:
- Sunday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday–Saturday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Theme: Between You and a Book (inviting readers into a direct relationship with books)
- Entry: Free for visitors
- Getting There: Shuttle buses and boat services from various Dubai and Sharjah pickup points
Why This Book Fare Stands Out
- The 2025 edition is one of the largest yet—over 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries will be present.
- It features more than 1,200 events and 750 workshops, including sessions on writing, translation, screen-writing and more.
- Guest of Honour: The Republic of Greece—bringing over 600 titles from 58 Greek publishers.
- Cultural Personality of the Year: Egyptian writer Mohamed Salmawy for his 50-year + literary career.
- Diverse guest list: Authors such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Carlo Rovelli, Paul Lynch, and regional stars like Khaled El Sawy and Dhafer L’Abidine.
Content Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss
- Thriller Festival: Nov 8–11—Featuring international thriller writers like Jennifer Hillier and Ragnar Jónasson.
- Pop-Up Academy: Interactive cultural-media sessions by influencers, a fresh experience for the book-fare goer.
- Poetry Pharmacy: A novel concept offering “poetry prescriptions” in eight languages including Arabic, Urdu and Malayalam.
- Community Book Club Sessions: Meet celebrated writers such as Banu Mushtaq and Jeffrey Mason—directly engage and ask questions.
- Cookery Corner & Live Podcast Station: 35 live cooking sessions + a live podcast studio—bridging food, culture and storytelling.
Legacy & Importance
The book fare legacy of SIBF goes back to 1982, when it was founded by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Over decades, it has evolved from a local fair into a global literary hub, an ecosystem for publishers, authors and readers alike. El País With Greece as Guest of Honour and a record number of countries participating, the 2025 edition underscores how books continue to build bridges between cultures, ideas and people.
Book Fare Highlights: What to Expect at SIBF 2025
The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (Nov 5–16, 2025) at Expo Centre Sharjah is shaping up as a landmark book fare. Under the theme Between You and a Book, it brings together 2,350+ publishers from 118 countries, over 1,200 events and a dazzling cultural line-up including Greece as Guest of Honour. Evening poetry sessions, writer workshops, cooking corners, podcast studios and more await. Entry is free and the hours generous—from 10:00 AM until late. Whether you love books, culture or conversation, this fair offers you a space to read, listen and connect. Don’t miss this global literary celebration.
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Between You and a Book – Why SIBF 2025 Is a Must-Visit Literature Event
This November, the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair invites you into the world of books—bold, diverse and global. As a vibrant book fare, it offers everything from author meet-ups and workshops to cultural shows and networking. Whether you are a reader, writer, publisher or dreamer—mark those dates, register for the workshops, and step into this literary arena. Because at SIBF, the journey truly is Between You and a Book.
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