Sharjah – Beyond the written word, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) is celebrating the art of food alongside literature.
Adding to the culinary excitement are interactive workshops for children, which form a big part of the fair’s jam-packed programme.
SIBF 2025 kicked off on 5 November and runs until 16 November 2025.
From traditional Arab dishes to global desserts, each session explores how cuisine, culture, and creativity intertwine, especially for young visitors eager to discover the joy of cooking.
While browsing through the programme, one session instantly caught my attention: a Koeksister-making workshop for children aged 6 to 16.
As a South African, I couldn’t resist signing up and inviting my colleagues from other countries to join me in experiencing this sweet taste of home.
I even taught my colleagues to pronounce the popular South African sticky doughnut.
“Kuuk-siss-tuhr,” I slowly said a few times.
Koeksister is a traditional South African delicacy made from braided dough strips that are deep-fried and immediately dipped into a cold, sticky syrup.
The result?
A crunchy, syrup-soaked pastry that’s as delicious as it is iconic.
When I arrived at the workshop, I was thrilled to see such a diverse group of participants, children and adults alike, all eager to learn about this mouthwatering treat.
Our hostess, Shad Mohamed, greeted us warmly and, upon learning I was from South Africa, smiled in delight.
The dough and syrup had been prepared in advance, allowing us to focus on the fun part: braiding and frying.
As Mohamed shared the story behind the koeksister’s origins, she demonstrated the art of braiding the dough, an activity that quickly captivated everyone in the room.
Fun fact: despite my love for this South African classic dessert, this was my first time making it from scratch!
Back home in Mzansi (as South Africa is fondly known), I usually grab a packet from a local bakery or supermarket.
Rolling up my sleeves to make a koeksister by hand was an adventure in itself.
Once our braids were ready, we moved to the mini kitchen, where pans of oil were already sizzling.
We fried the dough until golden brown, then dipped each one into cold syrup and sprinkled it with brown sugar.
The result was pure magic in the mouth.
Soon, the rave reviews started pouring in.
“This was my first time trying it, and it was delicious! I never expected it to taste that good,” said Sara Hamel from Jordan.
“It was nothing like I’ve ever had before, and I’m proud of myself for making something so yummy!”
Revathy from India added, “I’d never made or tasted anything like it. The dough, the syrup. The whole combination was completely new and so tasty.”
Caroline Chebet from Kenya was equally impressed: “It makes me proud to see South Africa influencing global cuisines.
“The koeksister truly brought people together.
“It was amazing to watch everyone’s faces light up as they tasted the perfect mix of crunch and syrup.”
The Koeksister workshop was just one of many delightful children’s activities at SIBF 2025, which also included jam-making, cookie baking and decorating, hat sewing, robot design, interactive art classes, LEGO car building, and even a playful yoga session where little yogis explore the animal kingdom.
Adding to the cultural vibrancy of the fair, this year’s Guest of Honour, Greece, presented a Travelling Theatre Troupe performance featuring musicians, singers, and performers Nikolaos Platanos and Kiliaki Vlachogianni, who brought Greece’s rich artistic heritage to life across the centre.
As for me, I’m eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Thriller Festival (November 8–11), held in collaboration with the New York Thriller Festival, where mystery lovers can meet more than 13 international authors, literary agents, and screenwriters.
Another major highlight of SIBF 2025 is the participation of Hollywood superstar Will Smith, who will take part in a live discussion on Friday, 14 November 2025, at 8:00 PM on the Main Stage.
This marks his first-ever appearance at an international book fair, giving audiences a rare chance to hear firsthand about Smith’s creative journey across writing, film, music, and business.
“Welcoming a global creative icon like Will Smith reflects SIBF’s vision of celebrating art and creativity,” said Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF.
“His journey embodies our mission to honour all forms of artistic expression that inspire imagination, raise awareness, and open new pathways to knowledge.”
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Between You and a Book”, Smith’s bestselling memoir “Will”, co-written with Mark Manson (The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*), offers deep reflections on his life, career, and personal growth.
He is also the author of the children’s book “Just the Two of Us”, inspired by his hit song celebrating the bond between parent and child.
Smith’s presence at the fair will no doubt inspire conversations around storytelling, resilience, and self-discovery, adding to the diverse and vibrant tapestry that makes the Sharjah International Book Fair a global celebration of creativity in all its forms.
The Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 is running at the Expo Centre Sharjah until 16 November 2025.
For more information, visit sibf.com.
