The 36th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which runs until next Saturday, has marked a new record of attracting 728,000 visitors in five days, highlighting the fair’s unique characteristics and exceptional spectrum of events and activities which attracts more and more visitors and book lovers each year.

HE Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), said that SIBF is already the world’s third largest book fair, but per capita that figure is even more impressive. He pointed out that SIBF has a significant cultural and intellectual impact on creating a knowledge-based society and promoting Sharjah’s role in enhancing dialogue and multicultural communication across the world.

Al Ameri added that SIBF prides itself on being one of the most visited events in the UAE and the region, underscoring the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, to establish the fair and bring together lovers of literature.

Organised by the SBA under the slogan ‘A World in my Book’, the 36th edition of SIBF features more than 1,650 publishing houses from 60 countries exhibiting 1.5 million books. The fair hosts 393 authors, intellectuals and artists from 48 countries taking part in its 2,600 activities, as well as many book signing ceremonies for 11 days.