Sharjah Museums Authority takes SIBF visitors on a journey through knowledge and heritage
- Last updated: November 4, 2026 | 16:30
Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is participating in the 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), organised by the Sharjah Book Authority from 4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah, with a cultural and educational presence aimed at introducing visitors to its museums, collections and publications.
Visitors’ experience at SMA’s stand begins with an exhibition that takes them on a journey through different aspects of Sharjah’s history and heritage, featuring a selection of collections that tell stories of life, trade and practices that shaped the region across different historical periods.
The exhibition features a replica of horse bridle fittings from Sharjah Archaeology Museum, comprising gold-covered discs discovered buried alongside a horse in Meliha and believed to have decorated its bridle.
It also presents scales and weights from Bait Al Naboodah, once among a merchant’s most important tools; the “Lu’lu – The Sea Moon” pearl from Sharjah Maritime Museum, believed to be one of the oldest known pearls in the world and discovered in Sharjah in a burial site believed to be around 7,000 years old; and a replica of a gold-decorated khanjar with a sheath and belt from Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn).
The experience continues with an interactive activity inspired by the horse bridle fittings, allowing visitors to discover how they were used through replicas mounted on a horse bridle as part of an artistic display, with an opportunity to take commemorative photographs.
The stand also features a reading corner where visitors can browse SMA publications, including the new release “Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization” and the “Shaped by Stone: The Tools that Made Prehistoric Qatar,” both available in Arabic and English.
A dedicated shop offers visitors the opportunity to purchase these publications alongside a selection of museum-inspired merchandise and souvenirs, while informational materials introduce the Authority’s museums and its cultural and educational programmes.
As part of its programme at SIBF, Sharjah Museums Authority will host a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Display: How Does a Museum Create Its Experience?” on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Al Multaqa Hall 3, Expo Centre Sharjah.
The session will feature Alya Al Khayal, Curator at Sharjah Archaeology Museum, and Fatima Al Ali, Deputy Manager of Museum Collections Department at Sharjah Museums Authority.
It will shed light on the work and processes behind designing museum experiences and explore how content and display approaches are developed to enrich the visitor experience and strengthen engagement with museums.
Sharjah Museums Authority’s participation in this edition of Sharjah International Book Fair reflects its commitment to expanding access to knowledge beyond museum walls, strengthening its presence at cultural events across the emirate, and reaching visitors from around the world through this international event.
It further supports the role of museums as dynamic spaces for learning, discovery and cultural exchange, while introducing wider audiences to Sharjah’s history, heritage and cultural identity.