WATCH | Sharjah Ruler opens 43rd annual book fair
Historic 127-volume Arabic Corpus and Cultural Projects unveiled
The 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has commenced at Expo Centre Sharjah, launched by the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.
The event welcomes 2,523 publishers from 108 nations and offers over 1,357 literary and creative events across 12 days.
SIBF2024: Key highlights
Arabic Language preservation: In his speech, the Ruler of Sharjah celebrated the completion of the 127-volume Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language. "Today, we celebrate two cherished events," he stated, citing the fair’s role in fostering knowledge and the corpus as an unprecedented achievement involving over 700 scholars.
New initiatives: Al Qasimi announced the upcoming Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, a project to encompass sciences, arts, and notable Arabic figures, aiming to deepen cultural knowledge.
Guest of Honour: Morocco’s participation as Guest of Honour is marked by over 40 literary figures leading diverse events showcasing Moroccan culture.
Cultural Personality of the Year: Celebrated Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi was named ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’, who praised Al Qasimi as "the knight who rose to protect the heritage of our language".
A special tour followed, where Al Qasimi visited international and Emirati pavilions, underscoring Sharjah’s ongoing commitment to literary and cultural growth.