Cairo Book Fair

Since the beginning of life on this planet, man has always been preoccupied with finding means of communication with others. The primitive man used his mind to create dialogue with others including indescribable sounds which he used for communication, drawings on caves’ walls and rocks, and engraving on parchment and leather. Throughout the ages, such means evolved into diversified languages used among human beings; for instance, drawing on caves’ walls developed into visual sciences and arts which became an established field that is taught and displayed in the most sophisticated halls worldwide for those who are interested in the visual arts. Furthermore, engraving on parchment and leather developed into letters that are typeset using the two-cover-book form, or communicated through modern technological means via satellites for the benefit of readers searching for knowledge..

This introduction proves that civilizations were established through innovations of peoples, and that science and enlightenment were the fruit of reflection. As Al Motawakel remarks, “The mind is a Sultan who has soldiers at his command, on top of which comes experiment, perception, thinking, luck, and finally joy of spirit. The body may only remain steadfast with the support of the soul and the soul is a lantern spreading light and its light is the mind.” Therefore, dialogue and the different types of positive discussions positively impact the whole world.

The Cairo International Book Fair stands as one of such popular platforms which assumed the responsibility of bringing peoples together and concurrently granting them the opportunity of dialogue and the exchange of viewpoints in all areas.

This huge cultural event (the event organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Egyptian General Book Organization) is the product of a pure good land where everyone feels secure and everyone lives together in harmony and peace. Such an event has gained established and well rooted ground and has become an important landmark comparable to the most prominent Egyptian landmarks. Just as the Nile overflows abundantly blessing the nation, the Fair spreads culture in the form of the diverse content it provides to its visitors.
This event started from Al-Gezira grounds in Cairo in 1969 as a national Arab project bringing together Arab people under the banner of science and knowledge, with Egypt as a pioneer of progress and unity. The event proceeded under the auspices of the guards of culture, and through the memorable efforts exerted by all those who participated in organizing such an important cultural event in Egyptian and Arab life. Today, we celebrate the Fair’s 42nd round which provides its visitors with many diverse activities.

All sectors of the Ministry of Culture participate in the proceedings of the Fair which includes cultural, artistic, and literary activities, as well as pavilions to display the different publications of the Ministry. In addition, a number of exhibitions are held on: The Grand Museum, Cartoon Art, Historic Cairo and its landmarks. This will be set as an open exhibition inside the main exhibition hall..
The min tracks of the current round include the following themes: “Global Economic Crisis,” “Spread of Epidemics: Swine flu as an Example,” and “The Arab Novel between Quantitative Explosion and Qualitative Bloom”. The Egyptian General Book Organization organized 13 varied activities including two new activities titled as “Publishers’ Professional Activity,” which is a set of 9 seminars focusing on discussing books with their authors and hosting public figures to discuss important issues. The other newly added activity is titled “Certificate of Recognition,” an activity dedicated to honor a group of intellectuals and thinkers in different areas for their contributions to the cultural life, not only in Egypt, but in the Arab world at large..

Below are the stages of development of the International Book Fair The 41nd and The 42nd :

The 41st Cairo International Book Fair January 21 – February 5, 2009

The 42nd Cairo International Book Fair January 28 – February 13, 2010