The 57th Cairo International Book Fair officially opened on 21 January and welcomed visitors of all ages at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo starting Thursday, 22 January. The event is scheduled to run through 3 February, according to the organizers’ published timetable. This year, Romania is the fair’s guest of honor, presenting a rich cultural program that includes panels, exhibitions, artistic and literary events, and readings that engage with contemporary Egyptian literature. Alongside its international spotlight, the fair also celebrates Egypt’s own literary heritage. In the children’s book section, Egyptian painter Mohieddine Ellabbad is being honored for his influential role in promoting reading among younger generations. The 57th Cairo International Book Fair also pays tribute to Egypt’s literary giants. Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz serves as the official honoree, recognized for his enduring contributions to literature and his role in shaping Egypt’s cultural identity on the global stage. Guided by this year’s theme, “National Identity,” the fair focuses on key figures in Egyptian cultural history, marking 20 years since Mahfouz’s passing, the centenaries of novelist Edwar al-Kharrat, musician Zakaria Ibrahim, painter Saif Wanly, and director Youssef Chahine, ten…
