Sharjah Book Fair Attracts 1.82 Million Visitors

In just 48 hours, the fair hosted 3,000 publishing rights meetings, underscoring its key role in shaping the global book industry. Visitors mainly came from the UAE, India, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan, with the 35 to 44 age group leading non-student attendance at 32.18%, followed by those aged 25 to 34. Younger readers weren’t left out, as 135,000 students from UAE schools explored the fair’s offerings, sparking a love for books in the next generation.

This year’s edition honored Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi as "Cultural Personality of the Year" and celebrated Morocco as Guest of Honor, with 22 publishers showcasing 4,000 works. With a nearly equal gender split among visitors, SIBF 2024 proved to be a vibrant, inclusive gathering, cementing its place as a top literary event.

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