Fans flock to find the newest manga hits and rediscover the classics, as Japanese stories bridge cultures and inspire a new generation of Arab readers

Sharjah, November 15, 2025 

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) drew people of all ages to the colourful world of Japanese manga and anime. From nostalgic classics like Pokémon, Dragon Ball, and Akira to the latest sensations such as Kagurabachi and Frieren, Japanese pop culture continues to captivate Arab audiences with its dynamic storytelling and artistry.

Manga is a type of Japanese comic book or graphic novel, usually published in black and white. While anime refers to the animated version of manga and includes everything from TV shows to full-length movies. Both have unique stories, expressive characters, and artistic depth.

 Available for the 10-plus age group, the paid activity at the ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair is a novel concept that aims to keep the love for books and reading progress to writing one’s own book

Sharjah, November 15, 2025

Writing and publishing a book and seeing it on the shelves of a book stall or at a book fair’s stalls is every aspiring writer’s dream. Sensing this hidden dream of budding writers, the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) has come with a dedicated creative writing space where the workshops for children happen.

The writing space, separated from the rest of the workshops by large faux square blocks featuring the SIBF logo, is open to all ages. Many adults with a passion for writing have also taken part. There are no trainers, but facilitators guide participants in selecting writing prompts, binding their pages with orange plastic combs, and placing them in a green folio case to take home.

The content creator and author of three books on hacks and gardening shared his vision about creating informative content at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair

Sharjah, November 15, 2025

The enduring charm of books and reading at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) was evident in the success of a globally popular social media creator who has written three books encouraging children and adults to balance screen time with hands-on activities. At a session titled “The Science of Fun: Turning Knowledge into Clever Hacks”, Armen Adamjan, the author of Don’t Throw it Out and Did you Know, shared his vision for creating more educational and informative content to help people around the world.

 At the Sharjah International Book Fair, authors explore how cultural memory continues to shape contemporary Emirati literature

Sharjah, November 15, 2025

At the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), the panel “Tales of the New Generation” brought together Emirati authors Asma Al Hamli and Ahmed Al-Amiri for a wide-ranging conversation on how today’s writers are drawing from heritage while embracing new creative directions.

Award-winning filmmaker and director urges his Sharjah International Book Fair audience to focus on emotional depth and relevance over algorithm-chasing in digital storytelling

Sharjah, November 15, 2025,

Kazim Fayad, a Lebanese award-winning filmmaker and director, delivered a sharp call for substance over spectacle in digital storytelling during a packed session at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). In the session titled “Story Engine” at the Pop-up Academy, he challenged creators to rethink the purpose of content, arguing that emotional intelligence and strategic intent are now essential to cutting through the noise.