Oman takes centre stage as Guest of Honour at Expo Centre Sharjah under the banner ‘Made of Stories’, featuring 1,500 events and global literary heavyweights.
SHARJAH, October 13, 2026 : The Sharjah International Book Fair will assemble 2,673 publishing houses and exhibitors from 124 countries next month, opening a 12-day cultural season anchored by 1,500 events and a dedicated showcase honoring the Sultanate of Oman.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the 45th edition of the fair runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme “Made of Stories.” Details of the flagship literary gathering were unveiled Tuesday during an official press conference at the Authority’s headquarters.
The 2026 lineup draws 106 prominent authors, academics, and artists representing 25 nations. Among the exhibitors, 1,151 Arab publishing houses and 1,122 international imprints will showcase titles spanning contemporary literature, sciences, and academic research.
“For 45 years, SIBF has brought together readers, writers, publishers, and creative minds from around the world,” said Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of the SBA. Al Ameri noted that the fair continues to advance the cultural vision initiated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, alongside the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA, cementing the emirate’s position as a global rights exchange hub.
The Sultanate of Oman joins this year’s edition as Guest of Honour, deploying a delegation of 50 cultural figures, including 41 writers and poets. Ahmed bin Saud bin Nasser Al Rawahi, Assistant Director General for Knowledge and Cultural Development at Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, confirmed the country’s pavilion will host 15 cultural panels, 20 artistic performances, and youth workshops designed to showcase Omani heritage, classical poetry, and contemporary fiction. Acclaimed Omani figures slated to attend include novelist Zahran Al Qasmi and poet Hassan Al Matrooshi.
The international speaker register features Booker Prize-winning translator Daisy Rockwell, American-Canadian author John Vaillant, Chinese novelist Liu Zhenyun, Nigerian-American sci-fi writer Nnedi Okorafor, British crime writer Clare Mackintosh, Filipino historian Ambeth R. Ocampo, and Indian political figure and Kerala Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan. Prominent Arab intellectuals include Moroccan literary theorist Dr. Said Yaktine, Lebanese dramatist Rafiq Ali Ahmad, and Kuwaiti novelist Saud Alsanousi.
Beyond book displays, the fair expands its specialized industry programming. The professional agenda launches ahead of the public exhibition on October 31 with the New York University (NYU) Publishers Training Programme, catering to 200 international executives. From November 1 to 3, the 16th Sharjah Publishers Conference will convene industry delegates across more than 30 sessions exploring artificial intelligence, digital copyrighting, audiobooks, and the Sharjah Translation Grant. Nine nations—including Angola, Cambodia, and Belarus—are making their debut appearances.
For public visitors, new curated spaces debut on the floor. “Poets’ Corner” will translate visitors’ personal experiences into Arabic and English verses on demand, while the “Future Hands District” provides children with immersive vocational simulations. Running concurrently from November 7 to 10, the fifth annual Thriller Festival—co-produced with Capital Crime London and ThrillerFest New York—will bring together more than a dozen crime fiction specialists, including Vaseem Khan and Karen Dionne.
Between November 7 and 9, the SBA will partner with the American Library Association (ALA) to host the Sharjah International Library Conference, drawing 400 librarians and information specialists worldwide.
Logistics operations are being finalized with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority to manage transit and visitor parking surrounding the Expo Centre corridors, with transport schedules to be published ahead of the opening morning.
