The Sharjah Book Authority has unveiled the second edition of the "UAE Book Fair", which in cooperation with the Emirates Writers' Union will be staged for five days from 20 to 24 April at the authority's building in Al Zahia area, involving 10 publishing houses that are featuring thousands of publications by UAE writers and editors. The fair welcomes visitors and readers from April 21 from 9pm until 1am, in a spirit of Ramadan, with a packed cultural program of dialogue and discussion sessions, poetry and literary evenings. The fair, via the publishing houses taking part and the program of events, brings together Emirati writers and publishers, and affords readers the opportunity to get to know the new local cultural landscape and its publications. The fair comprises publications from Emirati publishing houses in various fields of knowledge and literature. Publishers specializing in fiction and academic books will have special pavilions.
Sharjah Book Authority Chairman Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri explained that the fair personifies the tremendous development in the country's publishing sector, presenting an opportunity for those who wish to follow the vibrant Emirati cultural and creative scene through the newly emerging local publishing movement. It cements Sharjah's position on the book-producing map and interest in knowledge worldwide."
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, said during a press conference held by the Authority at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park yesterday, to reveal the details of the new session: “When (Sharjah International Book Fair) is mentioned, (Sharjah Great Cultural Project) is mentioned as well, and this makes us proud a lot, because in Sharjah we are reaping the fruits of the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, of more than 40 years ago, which he has been taking care of year after year until we reached this day to benefit of the results of this effort.”
He added: “The Fair started as an incubator for a few publishing houses and hundreds of visitors, and today it hosts the largest number of publishers in its history, with 2,213 publishers. The Fair became the first in the world to buy and sell copyright in 2021, and reaching this rank was never a goal for Sharjah, however, what the Fair has achieved is due to what His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah built.”
2,213 publishers from 95 countries, and 129 writers, theorists and innovators from 57 countries, will participate in the revival of 1,047 diverse cultural activities, in the 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority under the slogan "A Word to the World", during the period from the second to November 13th at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
The Fair celebrates Italy as the guest of honor during its new edition, and sends to its audience and guests through a rich program that covers the axes of Italian culture through activities that address various groups and interests, and provide a comprehensive and vivid picture of the Italian scene, and its civilizational, cultural and artistic richness.
During the press conference, the Consul General of Italy in Dubai, Giuseppe Venociaro, said: "We are pleased to have chosen Italy as the guest of honor for the 41st edition of the Fair, as this confirms the depth of relations between Italy and the UAE at various levels, especially in the cultural and literary sector."
For his part, the Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, Mansour Al-Hassani, reviewed the schedule of events related to the participation of publishers in this year's fair. The most prominent foreign participations were the presence of publishing houses from India, the United Kingdom and Italy, and all participants display more than 1.5 million titles on an area of more than 18,000 square meters.
The Fair will host the “Publishers Conference” in its 12th edition, over three days, from the 30th of this month to the first of November.
As part of its continuous interest in children, the Fair this year dedicated 623 activities for youngsters, ranging from workshops, plays, and entertainment and educational performances. The Fair organizes 123 shows divided between theatrical performances, dance performances, and touring shows.
For his part, the Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, Mansour Al-Hassani, reviewed the schedule of events related to the participation of publishers in this year's exhibition. The most prominent foreign participations were the presence of publishing houses from India, the United Kingdom and Italy, and all participants display more than 1.5 million titles on an area of more than 18,000 square meters.
The General Secretariat of the Arab Forum for Children’s Book Publishers has announced the opening of nominations for the 2027 Arab Forum Annual Award for the Best Children’s Book. The nomination period will run from September 1 to November 15, 2026.
This year marks the 14th edition of the Award, which is open exclusively to member publishing houses. Each year, three books are selected across the Award’s three categories to receive the Award.
The following books won the Award in the previous edition:
The General Secretariat of the Arab Forum for Children’s Book Publishers organized, on August 18, 2026, a professional seminar for Forum members entitled “Challenges Facing Children’s Book Publishers: Production and Distribution Obstacles.”
The seminar brought together a group of specialists in the field of children’s book publishing and addressed the key challenges facing Arab publishers throughout the production and distribution stages of children’s books, as well as possible approaches to addressing these challenges and overcoming obstacles that hinder the growth and development of the sector.
Participants discussed a range of issues related to the realities of children’s book publishing, beginning with production challenges and costs, and the selection of appropriate content and topics, through publishing and marketing mechanisms, to the difficulties of distribution and reaching readers. They also presented a number of proposals and solutions that could contribute to strengthening the presence of children’s books and supporting Arab publishers.
The seminar featured Dr. Mohamed Sayed Abdel Tawab, writer, critic, and Publishing Director at Nahdet Misr Publishing House; and Ms. Hadeel Maqadi, Executive Director of Al-Yasmine Publishing House – Jordan. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Mohamed Fathi, writer, academic, and General Supervisor of Arjouna Publishing House – Egypt.
The seminar was attended by approximately 30 publishers from members of the Arab Forum for Children’s Book Publishers, in addition to a number of writers and illustrators.
