By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Greece is at Sharjah’s Fair, November 5 through 16
The 44th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair has announced that Greece will be its guest of honor market.Pertinent dates for the autumn’s Sharjah programming:
- Sharjah International Book Fair—which anchors the Middle Eastern book fairs as the largest of the region—is set for November 5 to 16.
- The Sharjah Publishers Conference—which precedes the opening of the book fair—is to run November 2 through 4.
Today’s news (May 19) about the Greek guest of honor program has been announced by the Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, who chairs the producing body, the Sharjah Book Authority, the CEO of which is Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri.
As many of our readers will recall, Thessaloniki International Book Fair welcomed the emirate Sharjah as its guest of honor in 2024. And, now with the 2025 Thessaloniki fair recently closed (with Italy as the 2025 guest of honor), Greece will be in the United Arab Emirates for Sharjah’s fair, in a kind of exchange of guest-of-honor stints between fairs.
Under Al Qasimi’s direction, the Greece-Sharjah agreement was signed by Al Ameri for Sharjah and by Yasonas Varthalitis, deputy minister of culture of the Hellenic Republic. The signing took place during this month’s Thessaloniki fair.
‘Flourishing Civilizations Are Built on Dialogue and Exchange’
Bodour Al Qasimi
In speaking about the Greek guest of honor to come, Al Qasimi said that Sharjah’s cultural journey continues to be guided by author-emir Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sharjah’s ruler.
“Today,” she said, “the emirate carries this vision forward by embracing Greek culture. We believe that flourishing civilizations are built on dialogue and exchange across geographical boundaries and Sharjah remains committed to this approach.
“Sharjah is reinterpreting the past as a tool for self-understanding and engagement with the broader world, and hosting Greece as our guest of honor is a call to heed the voices of Athens, just as we have done with those of Marrakech, Cordoba, Seoul, Rome, and other distinguished capitals at the fair.”Bodour Al Qasimi, Sharjah Book Authority
“Greece’s participation at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair is an exciting opportunity for us all to discover the shared origins of our myths and tales, and other common influences that have shaped human consciousness.
“Sharjah is reinterpreting the past as a tool for self-understanding and engagement with the broader world, and hosting Greece as our guest of honor is a call to heed the voices of Athens, just as we have done with those of Marrakech, Cordoba, Seoul, Rome, and other distinguished capitals at the fair. With this, we continue to reinforce the book fair’s role as a global platform on which collective memory intersects, and the world’s languages and cultures come together in dialogue.”
A part of the reinterpretation of the past that Al Qasimi spoke of was represented earlier this year in Sharjah’s special exhibition of ancient artifacts, From Sharjah to Rome via the Spice Route.
Set at the Curia Julia—a first for an Arab exhibition—in the archeological park at the Colosseum in the Italian capital, the show which opened in February and closed earlier this month—presented 110 artefacts unearthed at Sharjah’s old-world trading centers, including Dibba Al-Hisn and the beautiful desert site, Mleiha. Roman glass flasks, a bronze sculpture of Venus, and coins from both the Roman and Greek empires were part of the exhibition.
‘A Versatile Knowledge Platform’
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri
Al Ameri spoke, as well, saying that in line with Sheikh Sultan’s vision, “Hosting Greece as guest of honor at SIBF 2025 adds to the fair’s distinguished record of international partnerships. It presents a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most influential civilizations, whose legacy continues to shape human thought. Each edition of the fair seeks to open new cultural horizons and foster meaningful intellectual exchange rooted in diversity.
“The fair has grown from a cultural event into a global hub for publishing and literary innovation, attracting publishers and thought leaders worldwide. Guided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s leadership, it has become a versatile knowledge platform that connects readers with authors, enriches the publishing industry, and reaffirms Sharjah’s status among the world’s leading international book fairs.”
And Greece’s Varthalitis said, “Our presence in Sharjah stems from the dedicated efforts of the minister of culture [Leni Mendoni], who has worked to forge a strong foundation for cooperation and a vibrant cultural exchange linking Greece and the UAE. This path is enriched through language, literature, poetry, publications, events, exhibitions and a wide range of cultural initiatives.
“We deeply thank Sharjah Book Authority for its productive collaboration and look forward to building on this dynamic and inspiring partnership.”
The program staged by the Greek guest of honor team is expected to focus, of course, on classical philosophy, theater, poetry, contemporary literature, and visual arts. It is also anticipated that it will host leading Greek authors, intellectuals, and publishers, as well as performances in music and art inspired by Greek traditions.
On the main exhibition floor of Sharjah International Book Fair. Image: SBA
More from Publishing Perspectives on the Sharjah International Book Fair is here, more on the book publishing industry of the United Arab Emirates is here, more on the Greek book publishing industry is here, more on guest of honor programs in many parts of the world is here, and more on book fairs and trade shows in world publishing is here.