Egypt's literature takes centre stage at record-breaking Cairo book fair

CAIRO –

 Egypt is set to celebrate its literary and cultural heritage in a landmark edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, which will run from January 21 to February 3 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo. Announcing the event at a news conference, Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hennawi described the 57th edition as the largest and most diverse in the fair’s history, with a programme designed to “bring books closer to people and ideas closer to action.”

This year’s edition, he said, draws inspiration from Egypt’s renewed global visibility following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, highlighting the nation’s rich civilisation as a source of creativity and knowledge. In a first for the fair, Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz has been chosen as its official literary figure, honouring his role in taking Egyptian storytelling to the world and reflecting the enduring power of the written word in Egypt.

The event will also celebrate the legacy of Mohieddin El-Labbad, a pioneer of children’s book illustration, recognising his influence on generations of young readers through the fusion of artistic beauty and imagination.

A record 1,457 publishers from 83 countries will participate, presenting 6,637 exhibitors. The cultural programme will include nearly 400 events, 100 book signings, and 120 artistic performances, featuring more than 170 international guests and over 1,500 intellectuals and creators.

For the first time, the conference hall will host ten daily forums, including “Africa: Challenges and Transformations,” aimed at strengthening cultural and intellectual ties with the continent. Romania will be the guest of honour, marking 120 years of diplomatic relations with Egypt in 2026, with 60 Romanian participants, including 15 artists and 10 publishers, taking part in 30 events across the fair.

Highlights include an art exhibition “Naguib Mahfouz Through the Eyes of the World” featuring 40 international artists, the launch of the “Naguib Mahfouz Arab Novel Prize” with a prize of 500,000 Egyptian pounds, and a grand opening performance celebrating the centenary of filmmaker Youssef Chahine, titled “Youssef Chahine … An Egyptian Tale”, alongside a closing ceremony “Ghina Al-Qahira.”

Initiatives such as “A Library in Every Home,” offering curated books at symbolic prices, and the “Naguib Mahfouz Bag,” containing 15 of his most significant works, aim to place literature at the heart of daily Egyptian life. The fair will also introduce the “Ahlena wa Nasna” camp to celebrate Egypt’s intangible cultural heritage, alongside a children’s pavilion and a dynamic arts programme.

Organisers emphasised the fair’s role in reaffirming Egypt’s leadership in the Arab literary world. President of the Arab Publishers Association Mohamed Rashad noted that the event drew over five million visitors last year and described the Cairo International Book Fair as “the most popular in the Arab world,” a testament to its legacy since 1969.

Hennawi concluded that the 57th edition is not merely an annual event but a renewed Egyptian message to the world: a commitment to free thought, cultural dialogue and the power of the written word in shaping identity and knowledge.