Sharjah International Book Fair Announces Fee Exemption for Publishers from Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan

Publishers from Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan have been granted an exemption from participation fees at the upcoming 43rd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), as confirmed by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) on Friday. The fair, a prominent event in the literary calendar, aims to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the Arab publishing sector.

This decision follows the directives of Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA. Sheikha Bodour highlighted the unprecedented challenges facing Arab publishers, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to mitigate the significant setbacks the industry has faced recently due to various geopolitical factors.

Sheikha Bodour stated, “Arab culture is directly shaped by the strength, efficiency, and resilience of its publishing sector.” She urged for comprehensive support to enable the industry to overcome its current difficulties, highlighting the significant impact that such support can have on sustaining cultural dissemination within the region.

The waiver is part of Sharjah’s continued commitment to bolstering the Arab publishing sector, particularly in light of restrictions and blockades that isolate many Arab publishers and cultural institutions. The Palestinian Ministry of Culture reported that extensive damage has been inflicted on cultural centers and publishing houses in Gaza and the West Bank, significantly affecting their operations.

Meanwhile, in Sudan and Lebanon, publishers continue to face logistical and operational challenges, compounded by economic instability, which restricts their ability to access essential resources and engage freely in regional and international book fairs.

Sharjah International Book Fair 2024, organized under the theme “It Starts with a Book,” will take place from November 6 to 17 at Expo Centre Sharjah. It is set to host a diverse array of authors and literary figures, including 85 celebrated Emirati and Arab writers, 2,522 publishers from 112 countries, and more than 1,357 activities across its 12-day duration.