Photo from Cairo International Book Fair’s Facebook Page

The Cairo International Book Fair recently wrapped up its 56th edition! Held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, the event welcomed over 1,300 publishers from 80 countries. The Cairo International Book Fair is the largest book fair in the Arab world and the second largest in the world.

This year’s fair centered the theme “Read… In the beginning was the Word.” The organizers insist that this is “not just a slogan”:

…it is a practical call for every individual to make reading a part of their daily life, as reading not only nourishes the mind, but also opens up new horizons for people and enables them to be an active part in building a knowledge society, making it the cornerstone of any cultural or civilizational renaissance.

The fair offered seminars and talks around the topics of “Reading the Future,” “Exhibition Personalities” (including seminars on Dr. Ahmed Mustajir and writer Fatima Al-Maadoul), “Strategic Issues” (discussing regional and international strategies), and “With Thought…” (fostering intellectual debates).

Participants also engaged with global literary figures from countries like China, Spain, and Senegal. The fair celebrated Egyptian authors who won literary awards in 2024 and Guest of Honor Oman highlighted its rich literary heritage. The fair also featured poetry evenings and children’s activities such as storytelling workshops.

The fair also introduced a new discounted books hall featuring offerings from a number of Egyptian and international publishers.

This year’s event looked fantastic! Check out some photos below: