Greece - Guest of Honour at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair 5–16 November 2025 | Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE

Greece is the Guest of Honour at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), one of the world’s leading publishing events, taking place from 5 to 16 November 2025 at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

The Greek participation, organized by the Directorate of Letters of the General Directorate of Contemporary Culture, within the framework of a Recovery and Resilience Fund project implemented by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, marks a major milestone in the international promotion of Greek books and culture. It highlights the enduring bonds between Greece and the Arab world, while showcasing the contemporary face of Greek literature, translation, and the arts. The event follows the participation of Sharjah as Guest Emirate at the 20th Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF) 2024, and the signing of a Bilateral Cooperation Protocol between the two countries.

In preparation for the Greek participation, the Directorate of Letters collaborated with the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture, Arab translators of Greek literature, and representatives appointed by publishers’ associations, the Hellenic Authors’ Society, and PEN Greece. Together, they worked over several months on the design of the national pavilion and the professional and cultural programme. Cooperation has also been established with the Embassy of Greece in Abu Dhabi, Greek stakeholders in the UAE, and cultural and publishing organizations in Greece and abroad.

At the National Pavilion, 59 publishers, cultural organizations, and institutions participate, including 28 with a physical presence. Around 600 titles in Greek and other languages are presented — editions from the Ministry of Culture, its supervised bodies, cultural foundations, and both Greek and foreign publishers specializing in translations of Greek works. A central role will be given to GreekLit, the translation funding programme for Greek books into other languages, implemented by the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture.

The design of the National Pavilion draws inspiration from the proportions of ancient temples. At its centre stands the olive tree, an eternal symbol of resilience and fruitfulness, deeply connected to Greek identity and culture. A long table runs along the pavilion, serving as both a display surface for books and a welcoming reading and meeting area. Within the pavilion, the exhibition “Greek Literature. The Long Journey” is presented, tracing the continuity of the Greek language and literature from antiquity to the present. With the Greek language, literary memory, and the evolution of the Greek Word as its guiding axis, the exhibition highlights works and creators who have shaped Greece’s intellectual identity both within and beyond its borders.

Cultural and Professional Programme

Greece’s presence at SIBF 2025 is accompanied by a rich programme of professional and cultural events, featuring more than 70 participants — authors, poets, translators, illustrators, musicians, actors, librarians, academics, representatives of cultural institutions, and publishers.

As part of its Guest of Honour participation, Greece has prepared a series of Arabic translations of Greek works, including anthologies of State Prize-winning poetry and short stories, as well as contemporary poetic dramatic monologues.

The Greek cultural programme features collaborations between Greek and Arab authors, translators, and publishers, promoting dialogue and creative exchange between the two cultures. Events include poetry and music tributes, small concerts of Greek poetry set to music, a theatre performance inspired by Yannis Ritsos’ mythological dramatic poetry, children’s art workshops exploring the evolution of the Greek language from the Phaistos Disc to the present, discussions on literature, translation, and librarianship, as well as professional forums aimed at strengthening cooperation in the publishing sector.

A special touch of gastronomic culture will be added by Greek chef Alexandros Sperchos, whose international experience from Greece to Dubai will introduce visitors to authentic and contemporary Greek flavours, showcasing the creative link between cuisine, tradition, and culture.

The Sharjah International Book Fair is the largest book fair in the Arab world and one of the three biggest internationally. In 2024, it welcomed over 1.8 million visitors and 2,500 publishers and exhibitors from 100 countries, hosting 2,000 events and 3,000 professional meetings for rights and collaborations.

Greece’s participation as Guest of Honour in 2025 forms part of a broader strategy of cultural diplomacy and international promotion of Greek books, reaffirming the creative dynamism and global resonance of Greek culture.