Sharjah International Book Fair set for record participation

The 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is set to attract the highest number of participating countries since its inception in 1981.

The latest edition will play host to 2,033 publishers and exhibitors from 108 nations. They will collectively present an array of 1.5 million titles, all to be showcased in Expo Centre Sharjah from November 1-12.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme We Speak Books, SIBF 2023 will bring together 600 authors from around the world to sign their new works.

The event's comprehensive cultural and creative 12-day agenda includes over 1,700 activities led by 215 guests from 69 countries targeting all age groups and diverse interests.

South Korea is the Guest of Honour at this year's event, which will showcase the country's unique knowledge and cultural landscape covering literature, art, technology and culture.

This year, 1,043 Arab and 990 international publishers will showcase over 1.5 million titles, including 800,000 in Arabic and 700,000 in other languages.

The UAE, Egypt and Lebanon top the list of Arab publishers taking part in the 42nd edition and on the international front, publishers from India, the UK, and Turkey top the list.

Emirati and Arab Guests

SIBF 2023 will welcome eminent Emirati writers and intellectuals, such as poet Khaled Al-Badou, Dr. Mashael Al Nabooda, Adel Khozam, Mohammed Al Jokar, Suad Al-Araimi, Fathia Al Nimr, Dr. Aisha Al-Ghais, and Saeed Al Badi.

From the Arab domain, SIBF will host Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi; Egyptian writer and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad; Kuwaiti author Dr. Mohamed Al Ghandour; Kuwaiti novelist Bothayna Al Issa; Lebanese poet Talal Haidar; Egyptian poet Nour Abdel Meguid; Egyptian media figure Reham Ayad; Kuwaiti poet Sheryan AlDihanni; Egyptian novelist and journalist Tareq Imam; Saudi poet Fahad AlShahrani; published physiognomy and body language experts Sarah and Hajar Abdul Rahman; Qatari poet Nasser Alober; along with many others.

International Guests

Prominent international figures gracing SIBF 2023 include English-born Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell; Indian actress Kareena Kapoor; Swedish behavioural expert and author Thomas Erikson; Nigerian playwright and novelist Wole Soyinka; British-Pakistani novelist and writer Mohsin Hamid; Czech-Canadian scientist Vaclav Smil; American astronaut Sunita Williams; Dutch author Swami Purnachaitanya; Indian writer Monika Halan; among others.