Sharjah: The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025, scheduled from 5th to 16th November at Expo Centre Sharjah, is set to offer a wide array of new features and events, reinforcing its position as a prominent global book fair.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), will be themed 'Between You and a Book' and aims to enhance visitor interaction with literature and culture through innovative and interactive experiences. A notable addition is the 'Pop-Up Academy,' an interactive platform with sessions led by influencers and specialists in literature, media, art, and technology, designed to foster cultural dialogue and inspire creative engagement.
The 'Poetry Pharmacy,' a unique feature from the UK, will provide visitors with personalized poetry prescriptions in bilingual Arabic and English formats, aiming to deliver a playful and therapeutic literary experience. For the first time, SIBF 2025 will introduce a 'Podcast Station' to celebrate the region's burgeoning digital audio culture. Visitors can interact with popular Arabic podcast programs and engage in live recordings, merging traditional literary formats with modern media trends.
The fair's cultural program includes the 'Poetry Corner,' which will feature 'Poetry Nights' showcasing multi-lingual poets across various languages, including Greek and Russian. Featured poets include Hamad Al Braidi from Qatar, Hamad Al Saeed from Kuwait, and Saeed Al Mani' from Saudi Arabia, among others.
The SBA will also launch Community Book Club Sessions, providing readers the opportunity to engage in discussions with acclaimed authors such as Banu Mushtaq and Jeffrey Mason. Additionally, SIBF will host the 4th edition of the 'Thriller Festival,' featuring the interactive play 'Murder at the Majlis,' commissioned by the SBA and involving local creative talents and students from the American University of Sharjah.