Will Smith Illuminates the Power of Storytelling at Sharjah International Book Fair 2025
In a memorable highlight at the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025, global icon Will Smith received a rousing welcome as he took the stage before a sold-out audience for a compelling conversation titled “The Power of Storytelling”. The event unfolded in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), further underscoring the significance of narrative within and beyond borders.
Prior to his stage appearance, Sheikha Bodour presented Smith with a signed copy of her newly launched book, Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha. This thoughtful exchange sparked a deep connection for Smith, who later revealed its profound impact during his talk.
“I feel like there are parts of me that I have not explored and expressed. I feel that the things I have shared with the world are 10% of what’s going on in my head. Sheikha Bodour and I were speaking earlier, and we were talking about the idea of dreams and visions, and my heart jumped because there was a book that I was writing, and she was speaking about the dreams and visions behind her current book, and I realised I’ve never been brave enough to say that I have dreams and visions too. What drives me now is trying to find the courage to fully express myself” (Will Smith).
This heartfelt admission set the stage for a conversation woven with introspection, humour, and the wisdom acquired over a four-decade career. Smith reflected on his journey to connect across generations, highlighting that enduring relevance is no accident.
“It’s beautiful to see that from one generation to the next, you can remain relevant — and I don’t think that comes by luck. There’s something you have to do to stay current” (Will Smith).
Smith attributed this sustained connection to the ability to access universally relatable emotions and shared experiences.
“Birth, death, marriage, sickness — everyone goes through these experiences. I’m always looking for the part of a story that everyone understands, the part that doesn’t need language to translate. That’s the power of global storytelling” (Will Smith).
Throughout the event, the synergy between creativity, self-discovery, and the shared human journey stood out, inspiring those present and reaffirming the universal magic of storytelling.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
