The 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair concluded on Sunday after having attracted over 1.5 million visitors from more than 200 countries and featuring over 2,500 publishers and exhibitors from 108 countries.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Sharjah fair ranked as the world’s largest in terms of sales and purchases, with a whopping 3,000 meetings having been held, according to the Sharjah Book Authority.
Morocco, the guest of honor, showcased its rich cultural heritage at its Moroccan pavilion, dubbed “Morocco of Cultures at the Sharjah Book Fair.” On display, there were rare artifacts and works that highlighted the kingdom’s literary and intellectual contributions. The pavilion also hosted a range of thinkers and researchers and featured over 25 Moroccan publishing houses presenting 4,000 significant works across various fields of literature and knowledge.
The Moroccan delegation presented 107 cultural activities, including literary discussions, art exhibitions, and culinary showcases of Moroccan cuisine. Visitors also participated in ten workshops focused on Moroccan gastronomy while they enjoyed music and dance performances by Moroccan groups highlighting regional art forms like Gnawa, Aissawa, and Taskiwin.
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al-Ameri, Executive Director of the Sharjah Book Authority, told Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) that the fair has evolved beyond a traditional book fair into a “book community” that now fosters a “global cultural ecosystem that connects industry professionals with readers.”
This year’s book fair, held under the theme “Thus We Begin,” brought together more than 2,520 publishers from 112 countries, offering over 1,357 activities over 12 days, along with an extensive collection of books and literary works.
The fair also featured a diverse program of 600 workshops for all ages, including 465 for adults and children, and 135 focusing on early childhood. The workshops covered a wide range of topics such as heritage, media, youth entrepreneurship, technology, the environment, the arts, life skills, and storytelling.
For the first time ever, the fair also hosted workshops in literary writing, allowing participants to meet renowned creative writing experts from the Arab world and beyond.
Over 85 Emirati and Arab writers, including award-winning novelists, poets, and playwrights, participated in the fair. 49 international authors and cultural figures from 14 countries attended, including recipients of prestigious awards and creators of globally recognized works.