Sharjah is Guest of Honour at WIBF 2026 (May 28–31), signaling international recognition of its cultural leadership and its role in bringing Arabic literature to broader European platforms.

Sharjah's pavilion at the Warsaw International Book Fair will showcase publications and cultural projects to advance Arabic literature in Europe, emphasizing translation, cross-cultural dialogue, and knowledge exchange between Arab and Polish audiences.

Special focus areas include showcasing Sharjah’s archaeological heritage (including the UNESCO-listed Faya site), historical maps from the Sultan Al Qasimi Centre, and publications across heritage, literature, and translation, with SBA leading media coverage and promotion.

The Sharjah GOH program, titled Two Civilisations. One Language of Letters, involves 21 UAE cultural institutions and 36 Emirati writers, delivering 35 activities—28 panel discussions, four poetry evenings, three children’s workshops, and 18 musical performances—across the fairgrounds, University of Warsaw, and Grochoteka Public Library.

Highlights will feature specialized heritage publications, a focus on safeguarding intangible heritage, and exposure of the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre’s cartography collection alongside a related documentary.

Leaders and institutions in the UAE align the initiative with Sharjah’s cultural vision under the ruler and SBA leadership, emphasizing the GOH designation as a milestone for Arab cultural representation in Europe.

The program aims to strengthen cross-border partnerships, safeguard copyrights, expand translation networks, and use WIBF as a platform to showcase Emirati cultural output to a wider European audience.

Key institutional players commenting on the opportunity include the Sharjah Book Authority, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre, the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and other major cultural and academic bodies across Sharjah.

The program involves major cultural and academic partners such as the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Emirates Writers Union, Emirates Publishers Association, House of Wisdom, and universities and publishing bodies across Sharjah.

PublisHer, led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, will coordinate an integrated program focusing on women’s leadership, diversity and inclusion, and international publishing partnerships.

Additional aims include highlighting Emirati heritage, promoting Arabic language resources, and reinforcing Sharjah’s identity as a global culture, publishing, and dialogue hub through sustained international engagement.

The GOH designation underscores Sharjah’s leadership in promoting books, reading, and intercultural dialogue, with a comprehensive program of 35 activities under the banner Two Civilisations. One Language of Letters.