Sharjah International Book Fair

About

The Paper and Paper Products Industry trade fair

The Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 is a major global literary and publishing event, uniting authors, publishers, librarians, cultural practitioners, students and book-lovers from around the world under one roof. Held from 5–16 November 2025 at the Expo Centre Sharjah in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the 44th edition carries the theme “Between You and a Book”, emphasising the unique, personal connection between reader and written word. SHARJAH NEWS

Each year, the fair attracts thousands of participants, including more than 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries in this edition alone, along with over 1,200 events and activities across culture, writing, translation and more. sharjah24.ae

What you’ll find at the event

• Exhibition Floor – A vast showcase of books, publishing houses, literary merchandise and industry services from hundreds of countries. Zawya

• Cultural & Knowledge Programme – Workshops, panels, author talks, translation seminars, children’s activities and creative writing sessions. For example: 750 workshops led by 28 guest experts. Zawya

• Guest of Honour & International Showcase – Greece is the official Guest of Honour in 2025, featuring a dedicated national pavilion, literary talks, cultural performances and deeper international exchange. Gulf News

• Networking & Publishing Industry Features – Rights trading, translation rights, digital publishing, author meet-and-greets, librarians’ forums and youth reader engagement zones.

   

Why this event matters

• It’s one of the largest book fairs in the world, bringing together global publishing ecosystems and providing unparalleled access to markets, ideas and cultural collaboration. visitsharjah.com

• For industry professionals, it offers a strategic platform for rights negotiations, market expansion, and engagement with the Arab publishing market, as well as international reach.

• For readers and the public, it’s an immersive cultural experience — not just shopping for books, but attending creative sessions, meeting authors, discovering new genres and engaging with communities of readers.

• The theme and programming emphasise the transformative power of reading and the book as a bridge between cultures, identities and ideas. Gulf News

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Practical tips

• Plan your schedule: With over 1,200 events and hundreds of exhibitors, choose in advance which sessions, authors, or areas you want to visit.

• Exhibitors & professionals: Bring business cards, publishing catalogues, and be ready for meetings if you want to connect in rights, distribution or partnerships.

• For general visitors: Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially for popular author talks and children’s workshops.

• Access & transportation: The venue is at Expo Centre Sharjah; plan for parking or public transport and check the schedule in advance.

• Stay updated: Check the official programme closer to the event for detailed session times, guest appearances and registration/delivery of passes.