Oman is Guest of Honor at Sharjah International Book Fair 2026

Sharjah: The Sultanate of Oman is participating as the Guest of Honor at the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2026, which commenced its activities on Wednesday in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The broad cultural participation reflects the depth of fraternal and historical relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, showcasing the richness of Omani civilizational and cultural heritage through the presence of government entities, private institutions, civil society organizations, and Omani publishing houses.

Sayyid Saud Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, said in his speech during the fair's opening ceremony: 'Selecting the Sultanate of Oman as the Guest of Honor in this edition embodies the depth of fraternal ties and close historical relations with the United Arab Emirates, while reflecting the strength of cultural cooperation between the two countries.'

He pointed out the importance of participating in the Sharjah International Book Fair given the prestigious status it enjoys among regional and international book fairs. This participation, he added, is an extension of the Sultanate of Oman's active presence in international cultural forums.

The Omani pavilion comprises 25 entities representing government institutions, civil society organizations, and private institutions, alongside 17 Omani publishing houses, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultan Qaboos University, the National Records and Archives Authority, the Omani Writers Association, the Cultural Club, the Memory of Oman Center, and the Bait Al Zubair Foundation.

The accompanying cultural program for the Sultanate of Oman's participation includes 28 diverse events featuring an elite group of intellectuals, researchers, and writers. These span various cultural fields and disciplines, including intellectual and historical lectures, poetry and musical evenings, folk arts, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, and debates on various intellectual and literary issues and topics.