Sharjah Ruler Directs Allocation of 4.5 Million Dirhams to Supply Libraries with Latest Editions of Sharjah International Book Fair

Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed the allocation of 4.5 million dirhams to equip the emirate’s public and government libraries with the latest publications from the publishing houses participating in the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair. The fair, held from November 4 to 15 at Expo Sharjah, features 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, presenting over 1.7 million titles across various fields of knowledge, science, and literature.

The initiative embodies Sheikh Sultan’s vision, which has established books and libraries as two pillars of Sharjah’s cultural project, and views investment in knowledge as a means to build human capacity and develop individuals’ skills by supporting the processes of authorship, translation, and publishing, while providing a dynamic intellectual environment that responds to the interests of different generations.

The grant represents direct support for publishers and, at the same time, gives Sharjah’s libraries the opportunity to refresh their collections with publications from diverse cultures, languages, and disciplines, thereby enhancing their role in building knowledge-based societies and supporting the cultural development pathways led by the emirate at various levels.

Under the theme “Made by Storytellers,” the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair continues to offer a cultural, creative, and artistic program comprising more than 1,500 events, with the participation of 106 writers and artists from 25 countries, alongside hosting the Sultanate of Oman as the guest of honor. This further strengthens the fair’s position as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue among publishers, creators, and readers from around the world.