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Held under the theme “Between You and a Book,” the fair celebrates the timeless relationship between readers and the written word, offering an immersive space for first-time visitors, lifelong bibliophiles, and industry professionals to connect through stories that transcend borders.
For Sudanese author Shatha Mohammed, the fair marks both a career milestone and a moment of personal joy. “My experience at SIBF has been wonderful,” she said. “I had the opportunity to meet many readers, and the book signing event for my novel The Busy Twenties was very well received.”
Having attended several regional fairs around the world, Mohammed described SIBF as “a truly special experience” that fosters lasting connections between authors and their audiences.
The fair’s appeal also extends far beyond the Arab world, attracting international visitors making their first literary pilgrimage to Sharjah. Gisele, a Filipino visitor attending the fair with her friend, shared her excitement: “It’s my first time here. It’s so nice, so big. I wanted to come last year but wasn’t able to, so I’m thrilled to be here finally,” she said. “I’m actually looking for exclusive anime collections, especially Demon Slayer.”
Her enthusiasm, shared by thousands across the halls of Expo Centre Sharjah, captures the essence of SIBF: a place where every reader, from manga and fantasy fans to poetry and classics lovers, finds something to cherish.
Among the visitors was Huda, an English teacher from India, searching for titles for both personal enjoyment and her students’ library. “This is my second day at the book fair, and I’m here with my colleague shopping for new books,” she said. “Personally, I’m drawn to the classics, but for my students, I look for graphic novels and contemporary fiction they can relate to.”
The fair’s cross-cultural appeal extends to exhibitors as well. Faris Al Jabari, representing Oman Post’s Stamps and Collectibles Department, shared his delight in participating for the first time: “We are meeting many visitors from different nationalities,” he said. “We brought special limited-edition Omani stamps, including ones made with original gemstones from Oman. People are fascinated, it’s very popular.”
Oman Post’s display, merging literature, history, and craftsmanship, embodied SIBF’s commitment to preserving and celebrating Arab culture through creative expression.
For Alex Gribanov from Denmark, a long-time exhibitor, the Sharjah fair remains a fixture on his calendar. “We’ve been coming to Sharjah for 17 years,” he said. “People come back year after year asking for books we showcase. That’s the power of stories to connect generations.”
He recalled a touching encounter: “One lady said her sister bought The Way to Happiness ten years ago from our stand at SIBF and still reads it for inspiration. That’s the power of books.”
Representing Nigerian author Femi Otedola’s memoir Making It Big, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen from Nigeria praised the event’s organisation and global reach. “SIBF 2025 has been organised brilliantly,” he said. “It’s remarkable how the organisers have managed such a massive event while keeping it vibrant, diverse, and engaging for visitors from across the world.”
As thousands of visitors roamed the vast halls of Expo Centre Sharjah, waiting to meet their favourite authors or discover new titles, a shared sense of wonder filled the air. Whether it was a student searching for the next bestseller, a collector admiring rare artefacts, or a reader experiencing an author’s words for the first time, SIBF 2025 reaffirmed the enduring power of books to transcend languages, cultures, and generations.
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