Sharjah – After travelling over eight hours from OR Tambo International Airport, we landed in Sharjah, the UAE’s beating heart of culture, creativity, heritage, art, and innovation.
Recognised by UNESCO in 1998 as the “Cultural Capital” of the Arab World, Sharjah greeted us with warmth and anticipation as we prepared for the opening of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025).
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme “Between You and a Book,” the 12-day event officially opened on Wednesday, November 5, at the Sharjah Expo Centre.
This year’s edition boasts over 2 500 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, featuring the largest African presence to date, a strong turnout from India and East Asia, and a diverse representation from Europe and the Arab world.
Book lovers, authors, and dignitaries gathered for the opening ceremony led by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
His Highness was joined by His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, and Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority.
After welcoming the Guest of Honour delegation from Greece and other dignitaries, His Highness reflected on Sharjah’s century-long cultural journey.
“I praise Almighty Allah and ask Him to forgive us all, to grant us strength and support to continue working towards what is beneficial and valuable for our great Arab and Islamic nation,” said His Highness.
“As we are speaking about the cultural projects in the Emirate of Sharjah, to which I have dedicated myself to serving, and devoted my life to culture, upholding its banner and elevating its status, and to promote the dissemination of knowledge, science, and literature among the sons and daughters of the nation, from East to West, we recount the beginning, a century ago, when the first library was established in Sharjah in 1925.
“And today, after 100 years, the emirate is celebrating its centennial.”
Marking a historic cultural moment, the Ruler of Sharjah announced the completion of the first phase of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopaedia.
“We have chosen to name it The Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopaedia of Sciences, Literature, Arts and Eminent Figures,” His Highness said.
“Through this encyclopaedia, we aim to define and document sciences, literature, and all academic branches related to the Arabic language, Islamic sciences, and the humanities.”
Detailing the achievement, His Highness revealed that 44 volumes have been completed, covering linguistic and Islamic sciences such as grammar, creed, rhetoric, prosody, phonetics, jurisprudence, and Quranic studies.
His Highness outlined a clear timeline: “By this time next year, we will announce the completion of the second phase… The academic work will continue through the third phase in November 2027, while the fourth phase will be completed in November 2028.
“By then, God willing, the largest scientific and cultural encyclopaedia defining sciences, arts, terms, and the biographies of eminent figures across disciplines will be complete.”
His Highness also conferred the title of ”Cultural Personality of the Year” on Egyptian writer, poet, and playwright Mohamed Salmawy, recognising his lifelong contribution to Arab literature and thought.
The Sharjah Translation Award (Turjuman), valued at AED 1.4 million and the largest of its kind globally, went to Dr. Ondřej Beránek for his Czech translation of Ibn Fadlan’s Journey from Baghdad to the Volga Bulgars: 921–922.
His Highness also signed copies of his latest 33-volume work, The Compendium of the Histories of the Arabian Peninsula and Persia 1622 CE–1810 CE, a meticulously researched historical archive compiled over 40 years and published in both Arabic and English.
In his speech, H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the SBA, announced that SIBF remains the world’s leading book fair in copyright trading for the fifth consecutive year.
He credited this success to the Ruler’s vision and to the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, under whose guidance Sharjah has become “a home for authors and publishers from around the world”.
Al Ameri noted that this year’s Publishers Conference brought together 1 599 publishers from 116 countries, facilitating 3 321 professional meetings over two days, a testament to Sharjah’s global literary influence.
Representing Greece as Guest of Honour at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair, Jason Fotilas, Deputy Minister of Culture of Greece, expressed his gratitude to the Ruler of Sharjah and reflected on the deep-rooted relationship between the two regions.
He said: “Ties between Greece and the Arab world span centuries.
“Our civilisations have met through philosophy, poetry, science, and the arts… Culture is the shortest distance between hearts.
“It knows no borders, and does not differentiate based on language or belief systems.”
Following the opening ceremony, the Ruler of Sharjah toured the exhibition halls with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, visiting pavilions representing Greece, regional cultural institutions, and international publishers.
Highlights included the Emirates Publishers Association, the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, and the House of Wisdom, which displayed rare manuscripts and heritage documents.
His Highness also visited The Big Heart Foundation, where he was briefed on ongoing humanitarian projects.
Day one concluded with anticipation for the upcoming cultural programme featuring 158 guests from 40 countries and over 300 events, including panel discussions, workshops, poetry, theatre, and literary readings.
Among the distinguished participants are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria), Paul Lynch (Ireland), Dr Julie Smith (UK), Carlo Rovelli (Italy), and Prajakta Koli (India), alongside celebrated Arab voices such as Zahi Hawass, Khaled El Sawy, Dhafer L’Abidine, Jumana Haddad, and Shukri Mabkhout.
The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair continues at the Sharjah Expo Centre until 16 November 2025.
For more information, visit sibf.com/en/sharjah-international-book-fair
