The 46th session of the Cairo International Book Fair, which will kick off on 28 January until 12 February, will include 1.2 million books, according to Mamdouh Badawy, head of the exhibitions department at the General Egyptian Book Organization (GEBO).
Saudi Arabia will be the guest of honor.
Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Badawy said that neither Qatari, Turkish or Iranian governmental or privately-owned publishing houses will take part at the book fair. None of the three countries has applied yet for participation, although privately-owned publishing houses participated in previous sessions.
The coming session will see participation by 850 publishing houses from 26 countries, marking an increase of 30 publishing houses from the previous year, he added. Libya will take part at the Culture Ministry’s pavilion in addition to other privately-owned publishing houses, despite the deteriorated political situations.
No books will be banned during the fair, Badawy said. Historical books will be in focus.
Postponing the opening of the fair on 28 January will not come at time when other book fairs are held at other countries, Badawy said adding that the postponement was based on desire of the participating publishers.
The official website of the book fair can be found at cairobookfair.org.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
