1,500 events and a Thriller Festival: What to know before the Sharjah Book Fair

The Sharjah International Book Fair, held from November 4 to 15, is an annual celebration of literature, featuring over 1,500 events and performances at Expo Centre Sharjah. With the theme "Made of Stories," the 45th edition attracts 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, alongside 106 writers, artists, and intellectuals from 25 countries.

Registration is free for general visitors, with some workshops and talks requiring prior registration. The fair's location at Al Taawun Street, Al Khan area, near Arab Mall, is accessible for people with disabilities. Free shuttle buses and additional parking are available, with routes and timings yet to be announced. This year marks Oman as the Guest of Honour, featuring a delegation of 50 writers and poets.

New family-oriented attractions include the Poets' Corner, where visitors can have a personal story turned into a poem, and The Future Hands District, an interactive educational city for children. Three stage productions, including a musical, a science-themed show, and a water-themed performance, will have limited seating and require advance booking.

Notable international authors include Nnedi Okorafor, Liu Zhenyun, Daisy Rockwell, John Vaillant, Shenaz Treasurywala, Ambeth R. Ocampo, Zoulfa Katouh, and several Emirati writers. The fair also hosts the Thriller Festival, a crime fiction event featuring over 12 specialists, literary agents, and screenwriters, including Clare Mackintosh, Karen Dionne, Vaseem Khan, Abir Mukherjee, and David Fennell.

UAE guests of honor include Sultan Al Ameemi, Ali Abu Al Reesh, Habib Ghuloom, Dubai Abulhoul, and Aisha Sultan. Alongside the public fair, the Sharjah International Library Conference runs concurrently, bringing together over 400 librarians and information professionals. The fair is designed to be family-friendly, with children's zones, educational programs, and interactive activities available.