The Cairo International Book Fair, known for being the most significant and oldest book fair in the MENA region, is set to captivate literary enthusiasts from January 26 to February 6, 2024. This spectacle traces back to 1969, stemming from the visionary efforts of then-Minister of Culture, Tharwat Okasha.

Bringing in approximately 2 million annual visitors, this 12-day extravaganza hosts publishers from across the Arab world and beyond. Beyond books, the fair encompasses cultural seminars, cinema screenings, theatre performances, art exhibitions, and musical shows.

55th Edition of Cairo International Book Fair:

It is scheduled to open at the Egypt International Exhibition and Conference Center. The fair will begin with an exclusive opening for invitees, subscribers, publishers, and industry professionals. For the public, the fair opens its doors on January 25, welcoming visitors from ten in the morning until eight in the evening and until nine in the evening on Thursdays and Fridays.

The fair changed location in 2019, relocating to the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo. With a rich history, the fair has become a vital hub for the literary and cultural scene in the Middle East.

For the First Time, Two Honorary Characters Will Be Featured:

The fair agreed to choose the great writer Yaqoub Al-Sharouni, who enriched the Egyptian and Arab libraries with many works, most of which express originality and Egyptian identity, to be the character of the exhibition for children's literature.

The committee also chose the famous archaeologist Dr Selim Hassan as the second honorary character of the book fair.

Norwegian Literature in Cairo International Book Fair 2024:

With a targeted approach, Norway plans to present a comprehensive programme to strengthen translation efforts from Norwegian into Arabic. The project, led by NORLA in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Cairo, enhances the visibility of Norwegian literature in the Arab world.

Children's and young adult, contemporary, and non-fiction will take centre stage, aligning with the preferences of Egyptian readers. The initiative aims to deepen cultural exchange and dialogue between the Arabic and Norwegian literary worlds through collaborations with the book industries in both Norway and Egypt.