Kerala CM VD Satheesan to Join Sharjah International Book Fair 2026

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan will join international authors at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, running November 4–15, 2026, with 2,673 publishers from 124 countries.
on Oct 15, 2026

V.D. Satheesan, Chief Minister of Kerala, to Participate in the Sharjah International Book Fair 2026 Along with Other International Authors

V.D. Satheesan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, will be among the notable guests at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2026. It will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah, United Arab Emirates from November 4 to 15, on the theme “Made of Stories”.

As per the organizers of the fair, it is believed that V.D. Satheesan’s presence at the event will draw attention from the Indian expatriate community of the UAE, especially Malayalis. It will be the first visit of V.D. Satheesan to the UAE after taking the charge of Chief Minister.

International Writers and Cultural Personalities Set to Attend

The 12-day festival will see the gathering of writers, artists, intellectuals, and cultural personalities across the globe. Some of the international visitors include Nigerian-born writer Nnedi Okorafor, bestselling British novelist Clare Mackintosh, Chinese novelist and screenplay writer Liu Zhenyun, and Indian actress and writer Shenaz Treasurywala.

There will be the participation of Filipino historian and writer Ambeth R. Ocampo, who is known for bringing the history of the Philippines within reach of a wider audience, along with American translator and writer Daisy Rockwell and Canadian-American writer John Vaillant.

The varied list is a reflection of the significance of the fair as a platform for literary interaction.

Over 2,600 Publishers from 124 Countries

The 2026 edition will welcome 2,673 publishers and exhibitors from 124 countries, together with 106 writers, artists and intellectuals from 25 countries. Furthermore, around 1,500 cultural, artistic and creative activities will take place during the event.

Literary meetings, author meetings, workshops, performances and entertainment programmes for both children and adults are among the activities available to guests. The professional programme will enable the publishers to discuss issues such as publishing trends, translation, rights trading, and international cooperation.

Oman Guest of Honour Country

At the 45th International Book Fair, Oman will be the guest of honour presenting its literary traditions, history, heritage and cultural identity.

The Omani delegation will comprise 50 people, including 41 writers and poets. The activities of the delegation will include cultural meetings, workshops for children, artistic performances, music and folk presentations.

Visitors will have an opportunity to discover Oman's literary and cultural heritage during the Guest of Honour programme.

A Global Platform for Literature and Ideas

Through its unique combination of international authors, publishing industry experts and culture-related events, the Sharjah International Book Fair remains a venue for readers, writers and the international book industry.

The upcoming event in 2026 is anticipated to foster literary exploration, promote intercultural dialogue and give publishers an opportunity to explore new international markets.