CIBF Director: Naguib Mahfouz Award Equals Nile Prize in Prestige

Ahmed Maghd, Executive Director of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) said the newly launched Naguib Mahfouz Award for Arabic Fiction is equal in value and stature to Egypt’s prestigious Nile Prize, stressing that it appropriately honors the legacy of the world-renowned Egyptian novelist.

In a televised interview, Maghd described the Cairo International Book Fair as the largest cultural and artistic event in the Arab world, noting that each edition witnesses continuous efforts to introduce new elements that reflect its growing regional and international standing.

He said the current edition includes several high-quality initiatives aimed at developing the fair and strengthening its cultural and intellectual role, highlighting the launch of the Naguib Mahfouz Award as one of its most significant features.

Maghd explained that the prize is the largest literary award to bear the name of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz and is granted by the Egyptian state, represented by the Ministry of Culture. The award carries a monetary value of 500,000 Egyptian pounds, in addition to a commemorative gold medal, placing it on par with the Nile Prize in both value and prestige.

He added that the award reflects Egypt’s commitment to honoring literary excellence in a manner befitting the name of Naguib Mahfouz and the cultural stature of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The executive director also revealed that, for the first time, the fair has introduced a dedicated section for purchasing intellectual property rights, despite the fair’s traditional focus on book sales rather than rights trading.

He said the new section was provided free of charge in support of the initiative, in cooperation with the Egyptian Publishers Association, and includes an organized schedule of meetings between Egyptian, Arab, and international publishers. Maghd noted that the move is expected to have a significant impact on publishing and translation activity, ultimately benefiting readers and the book industry as a whole.