Attendees of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) in 2026 will have the opportunity to transform their personal narratives into poetic works in both Arabic and English. Furthermore, an interactive city will be available for children to explore various professions, as organizers are introducing new formats for this year.
Among the new attractions is the 'Poets' corner, where visitors' stories will be reworked into poems in Arabic and English, alongside the 'Future Hands' area, an educational space allowing children to learn about different career paths through interactive activities.
These announcements were made by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at a press conference held at its headquarters in Sharjah on Tuesday, October 13, along with details of the fair's cultural program, list of international guests, and related literary events.
The forty-fifth edition of SIBF will take place from November 4 to 15 at the Sharjah Expo Centre under the theme 'Made from Stories.' The event will host 2673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, with 106 writers, artists, and intellectuals from 25 countries participating in 1500 cultural and artistic events.
Oman will serve as the Guest of Honour, receiving a special program dedicated to its literature, heritage, writers, and artists. The new attractions aim to offer guests more than just the chance to browse and purchase books, providing activities that bring storytelling, creativity, and learning to life for different age groups.
In the 'Poets' corner, visitors can share their stories and see how they will be reinterpreted as poetry in Arabic and English. Meanwhile, the 'Future Hands' area will provide children with the opportunity to explore different professions in an interactive educational environment.
The fair will also feature workshops, theatrical performances, and family shows, in addition to a broader program of literary discussions, poetry evenings, and cultural events. Three performances during the 12-day event will require advance booking.
The program kicks off on November 7 with the exclusive premiere of the musical 'When Memories Sing,' which draws upon children's songs and familiar voices recalled by different generations. On November 8, Abdullah Annan will present the interactive family show 'Impossible or Science?!,' combining optical illusions and scientific experiments. Children and adults are invited to participate, vote, and learn the scientific explanations behind seemingly impossible feats.
On the open stage of the Sharjah Expo Centre on November 14 and 15, the performance 'Waterland' featuring regional performers will take place. Oman's participation as Guest of Honour will attract 50 participants, including 41 writers and poets. The program will highlight the country's history, heritage, and cultural identity, as well as contemporary achievements in Omani literature, poetry, and art.
Ahmed bin Saud bin Nasser Al Rawahi, Deputy Director General for Knowledge and Cultural Development at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Oman and Director of Muscat International Book Fair, stated that this participation marks long-standing relations between Oman and the UAE. He noted: 'We view this celebration as a tribute to Oman and its culture, and as an opportunity to strengthen the long-standing ties between our countries and peoples. The choice of Oman as Guest of Honour is based on shared history and close relationships rooted in brotherhood and neighbourliness.'
The program will include 15 cultural sessions, six children's workshops, and 20 artistic performances, including daily musical and traditional folk shows. Visitors will also be introduced to Omani cuisine through special events and culinary sessions.
Al Rawahi emphasized that the program will give guests a chance to engage with Omani cultural traditions while promoting exchange between the two communities. He added: 'Our participation will introduce visitors to Oman's history, heritage, and cultural achievements, fostering dialogue and exchange between Oman and Sharjah. The program includes literary and intellectual discussions, poetry evenings, historical and cultural events, as well as workshops for children and youth.'
Among the participating writers and poets will be novelist Zahran Al Qasmi, Dr. Mohammed Al Yahyaei, poet Hassan Al Matrooshi, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Omairi, Dr. Mahmoud bin Mohammed Al Rahbi, as well as writer and storyteller Ahmed bin Nasser Al Rashidi.
Crime and detective fiction will take center stage from November 7 to 10, when SIBF will host its fifth Thriller Festival in collaboration with Capital Crime London and Thriller Festival New York. The festival will gather over 12 specialists, including authors of crime, detective, and thriller literature, literary agents, and screenwriters.
Among the invited guests will be British novelist and former police officer Claire McIntosh; American author Karen Dionne, whose novel The Marsh King's Daughter was adapted for film; and British writer and journalist Elizabeth Moore, known for her psychological thriller The Man on the Middle Floor. They will be joined by Wasim Khan, author of the series Baby Ganesh Agency and Malabar House; British novelist Abir Mukherjee, known for the Wyndham & Banerjee detective series; and British writer David Fennell, whose crime fiction includes the Sleeper and Grace Archer series.
Arab participants include Egyptian novelist Nouha Daoud, Emirati writer and director Ibrahim Al Marzouqi, Emirati authors Adel Al Sumaiti and Mohammed Ali Al Hammadi, Emirati writer Alia Nasser Al Zaabi, and Syrian novelist and journalist Islam Abu Shukair.
The fair will feature 2673 publishers, including 1151 Arab and 1122 international publishers, presenting works in multiple languages across literature, science, children's books, and other fields. The 1500 cultural, creative, and artistic events will encompass panel discussions, literary talks, workshops, theatrical productions, and interactive sessions for children and adults.
Among the Emirati participants will be Dr. Sultan Al Amimi, Ali Abu Al Rish, Dr. Habib Ghanem, Dr. Shihab Ghanem, Dr. Ahmed Al Khouri, Fatiyah Al Nimr, Dubai Abdulhoul, Aisha Sultan, and Nasser Al Dhaheri. Among the Arab guests will be Moroccan scholar and researcher Dr. Said Yaktin, Lebanese actor, writer, and director Rafik Ali Ahmad, Lebanese novelist and journalist Nadwa Barakat, Sudanese novelist Dr. Amir Tag Elsir, Kuwaiti novelist Saud Al Sanousi, and Syrian-Canadian author Zulfah Katoukh.
International participants include American writer, artist, and translator Daisy Rockwell; American-Canadian novelist and journalist John Wayant; Chinese novelist and screenwriter Liu Zhenyun; Filipino historian Ambet R Ocampo; Nigerian author Nnedi Okorafor; British novelist Claire McIntosh; and Indian actress, writer, and content creator Shenaz Treasurivala.
The program will also feature Australian writer and designer Peter Gould, South African actress and producer Salima Mosede, Singaporean poet Natalie Wang, German novelist Daniela Tulli, and Thai writer Rewat Panpipat.
Visitors interested in developing their creative skills can register for two specialized courses. German novelist Daniela Tulli will conduct a course covering narrative voice, character development, dialogue, editing, and the publishing process. Egyptian actor and writer Khaled El Savy will present 'Acting Studio: From Training to Stage,' focusing on performance techniques, character development, and improvisation.
The culinary corner will bring together Arab and international chefs for live demonstrations showcasing ingredients, flavors, and techniques from various culinary traditions. Participating chefs include Mohammed Orfali from Syria, Salam Dakak from Palestine, Jad Youssef from Lebanon, Kausar Raja from Pakistan and the UK, and Marina Georgalides from Greece and the UK. They will be joined by Xavier Bramble from the Caribbean and the UK, Nitisha Patel, Romi Gill, and Monisha Bharadwaj from India and the UK, as well as Omani chefs Sulaiman Al Kindi and Samira Al Aghbariya.
Etisalat, celebrating its 50th anniversary, will continue its long-term sponsorship of the book fair. Saud Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh, Vice President of Government Sales (Dubai and Northern Emirates) at Etisalat, stated that the partnership reflects the importance of investing in knowledge and people alongside technological development. He emphasized: 'As Etisalat celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud of our long-standing sponsorship of this major cultural event. We view this strategic partnership as a national and cultural responsibility, based on our belief that investing in people and knowledge is as important as investing in digital and technological infrastructure.'