41st SIBF - world's largest book fair for the second year in a row; receives 2.17 million visitors

The 41st Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), consolidating its position as the world's largest book fair for the second year in a row in terms of buying and selling of copyrights, received 2.17 million readers from 112 countries during the 12-day cultural extravaganza that ran under the theme, ‘Spread the Word’. The fair’s visitors comprised 54.2 per cent male and 45.8 per cent female. Of these, 40.8 per cent were in the 16-25 age group while 35.1 per cent formed part of the 25-45 age group.  

SIBF 2022which is organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), received 218,000 students. The book fair is an important annual cultural destination for young pupils, that provides their libraries with new Arabic and foreign publications, and facilitates the opportunity to meet their favourite writers and cultural personalities, including content creators, artists and social media influencers.

SIBF 2022, embodying its vision of building new generations of readers, celebrated Italy as the Guest of Honour, hosted a galaxy of authors, sports personalities, intellectuals, artists, popular cinema icons from the Arab region and the subcontinent, and a host of specialised experts to drive home Sharjah’s cultural campaign to the world, ‘If you’re into something, you’re into books’. The fair has strengthened and deepened connections between books and every aspect of human life through a diverse array of activities including music, arts, poetry evenings, and more under its vibrant cultural programme.

SIBF 2022 welcomed distinguished guests like footballing legend Zlatan Ibrahimović; India’s most celebrated actor Shah Rukh Khan; Egyptian actor Karim Abdul Aziz, lead star of The Blue Elephant; Egypt’s renowned action hero Ahmed El Sakka; and Saudi Arabia's prized musician Abadi Al Johar, among a host of other cultural celebrities.

Sudanese historian Yusuf Fadl Hasan was celebrated as ‘Cultural Personality’ of SIBF 2022 while the fair also hosted a distinguished group of regional and international guests in the 41st edition, including Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka, winner of the 2022 Booker Prize; Geetanjali Shree, Hindi-language author and winner of the International Booker prize; Algerian novelist Waciny Laredj, Egyptian writer Ahmad Mourad, and author Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, amongst others.

The forum halls opened doors for debates and discussions on some of the most prominent issues impacting Arab and world literature and explored challenges of translation, delved into the future of communication, and offered insights on the importance of research, documentation and history. Over the course of 12 days, SIBF hosted more than 200 cultural discussions to enrich and educate the visitors.

African - Arab Cultural Programme

The book fair shed light on the African experience in literature this year, through the African - Arab Cultural Programme and celebrated writers of the contemporary diaspora with a special programme encompassing performances and activities in literature, art, fashion, and music.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah directed the allocation of Dh4.5 million to equip the emirate’s libraries with the latest titles from regional and international publishing houses who have a presence at the 41st SIBF.

SIBF’s social media accounts reached more than 7 million users globally, with more than 38 million impressions. More than 18 million individuals viewed videos created for the 41st edition while the hashtag '#SIBF22' created 78 million impressions. In addition, there were 8,400 individual posts from the public and media that used the hashtag in Arabic and English.

SIBF 2022 hosted 2,213 publishers, this year, comprising 1,298 from the Arab region and 915 from around the world. Under the book fair’s cultural programme this year, SIBF hosted 150 distinguished authors, intellectuals and creatives who led 1,500 activities and sessions including 200 activities encompassing workshops, talks, and seminars.