Sharjah book fair welcomes over 1.8 million visitors

The 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) attracted 1.82 million visitors from over 200 countries.

Held from November 6 to 17 under the theme "It Starts with a Book," the event cemented its position as a global cultural hub, drawing over 2,500 publishers and exhibitors from 112 countries.

The fair also maintained its ranking as the world’s leading book fair for publishing rights transactions for the fourth consecutive year, with 3,000 meetings held over just 48 hours.

Among the top nationalities visiting the fair were people from the UAE, India, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan.

Visitors aged 35 to 44 accounted for 32% of attendees, followed closely by those aged 25 to 34 at 31.7%. The fair also saw strong engagement from young adults aged 18 to 24, who made up 13.7% of the audience.

Men made up 53.7% of the visitors, while 46.3% were women. In addition, the fair welcomed 135,000 students from schools across the UAE, highlighting the growing interest in cultivating a reading culture among younger generations.

The Book Signing Corner was a major highlight, with more than 1,000 authors showcasing their latest works. The fair also featured workshops, seminars and panel discussions with over 85 Arab and Emirati writers and 49 international literary figures.

Sharjah’s cultural commitment was further underscored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, who announced an AED 4.5 million investment to enhance public and governmental libraries with new Arabic and international titles.

SIBF 2024 also brought together global icons from various fields, including Egyptian composer Omar Khairat, football legend Mohamed Salah and actor Ahmed Ezz, who engaged in discussions with visitors.

The event closed with a lively performance by Kuwaiti artist Humood AlKhudher, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary celebration of culture, literature and creativity.