The 42nd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) wrapped up with big results, attracting over 1.8 million visitors. Under the theme “It Starts with a Book,” the event featured more than 2,500 publishers and exhibitors from 112 countries. A large number of children and families attended to participate in conferences and gain insights into the latest developments in the educational world.
For the fourth consecutive year, SIBF was ranked as the world’s leading book fair for publishing rights transactions, with 3,000 meetings held in just 48 hours. Visitors from the UAE, India, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan were among the most represented nationalities. The fair saw significant participation from adults aged 25 to 44, who made up 32% of attendees. One of the standout features of this year’s fair was the Book Signing Corner, where over 1,000 authors presented their latest works.
We spoke to several attendees, including Asma, a Sharjah resident, who shared, “This year has been particularly rewarding. I spent approximately AED 400 on books, ensuring my children have a wide range of reading materials. I believe that investing in books is one of the best ways to nurture their love for reading and foster their intellectual growth. It’s important to instill good reading habits from an early age, as books not only expand their knowledge but also help develop their imagination and critical thinking skills.”
A grade student from Charter Schools commented, “It’s been a great pleasure, with no moments of boredom. Along with our professor, we had a fantastic time.”
Sharjah’s commitment to cultural development was further emphasized by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, who announced an AED 4.5 million investment to enhance public libraries with a richer selection of Arabic and international books.
