Writers at Sharjah Book Fair 2026 explained why storytelling is evolving rather than disappearing, despite digital distractions, changing reading habits and growing emphasis on science and technology in education.
SHARJAH: Is storytelling losing its place in a world of screens and shorter attention spans? Writers at the Sharjah Book Fair say stories are not disappearing. Instead, they are finding new forms as technology, lifestyles and the ways people consume literature change.
The question was explored at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) during a panel titled ‘Who Is Killing the Story?’. Thai writer Rewat Panpipat, Tunisian novelist Dr Nizar Chakroun and Dr Hasan Al Naami discussed the future of literature in a session moderated by Louis Denham.
Why do writers believe storytelling will survive?
Dr Al Naami pointed to the long history of storytelling in Arab culture, from folk tales and travel accounts to One Thousand and One Nights. Literary traditions, he explained, have repeatedly adapted to the needs of different generations.
“No one is killing the story. It is alive; it is simply transforming to keep pace with the world we live in,” he said.
Dr Chakroun also rejected the idea that fiction is approaching its end. He noted that new inventions have long prompted fears about the future of creative expression, including concerns that photography might replace human imagination and memory.
The panel’s message was that changing formats do not necessarily mean that audiences have stopped needing stories.
Are schools giving literature enough attention?
Panpipat raised a different concern: the possibility that children are losing opportunities to discover books as education gives greater emphasis to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
He recalled how reading at school shaped his own interest in literature. Without opportunities to engage with books, he suggested, young people could miss an early chance to develop imagination and enjoy storytelling.
The discussion at the Sharjah Book Fair highlighted the importance of keeping literature alongside technical subjects rather than treating the two as competing priorities.
Can technology change storytelling without ending it?
Dr Chakroun acknowledged the challenge of shorter attention spans while remaining optimistic about the novel’s future. Dr Al Naami suggested that stories may increasingly move from the printed page to screens without losing their essential purpose.
He also emphasised the value of memory, belonging and a sense of place in creating meaningful narratives.
Impact to expect
The debate could encourage educators, families and cultural institutions across the UAE to protect time for reading and creative writing while embracing new storytelling platforms. It also offers reassurance to emerging authors that changing technology can provide different ways to reach readers.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the Sharjah Book Fair runs from November 4 to November 15, 2026, at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with Oman as Guest of Honour.
