The countdown for the 51st edition of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) has begun; it is scheduled to kick off on January 22.
However, some issues concerning the publishers and organizing the book fair remains. Islam Bayoumi, Director of Exhibitions Department at the Egyptian General Book Organization and Manager of the Cairo International Book Fair in its new edition.
Islam Bayoumi addressed these issues with “SEE”.
Bayoumi stated that the great success the book fair achieved last year surpassed all expectations about its move from the old fairground in Nasr City to its new headquarters in New Cairo, which witnessed a huge turnout from the publishers that year that reached 25%.
“The reason behind the huge turnout is due to its move, however, the fixed area of the book fair remains an obstacle to this increase,” Bayoumi said.
He continued: "There is a promise of a new hall at the book fair’s headquarters next year.”
“The crisis of lack of space will be solved for all applicants, and if not, we will try to search for other mechanisms to solve this issue, but we will never return to tents, also, all plaques have been occupied for service activities and are difficult to use for publishing houses."
CIBF manager also addressed the increased participation of Arab and foreign publishing houses in the book fair for the first time in its history.
Bayoumi cited that the reason for the increased participation could perhaps be due to the new marketing policy or changing spatial conditions of the book fair new headquarters.
Regarding the drawing of many participants in the book fair, he said, “We make a public participation lottery at the Arab Publishers Association headquarters with the assist of Mr. Said Abdo, Head of the Association, for the second year.”
“We randomly choose the publishing houses into line with the conditions, for the participation in the book fair according to the activity of each hall of the book fair,” Bayoumi added.
He continued: "Large pavilions are also distributed by drawing and with the same unit price per square meter, but we reduced these large areas.”
“The maximum area was 162 meters for the exhibitor, however it was reduced to 126 meters only this year, which provided many spaces for the participation of more exhibitors, reaching about 29 publishing houses – that were on the waiting list in case there was an available space for them— out of 53 houses, in addition to those who applied after the submission door was closed."
[caption id="attachment_100853" align="alignright" width="240"]
the poster of CIBF 51[/caption]
”Concerning the participation of Azbakeya Wall in the book fair Bayoumi pointed out that with the wall’s participation this year with 41 books, many representations and warranties were introduced to them to ensure that there will be no forged books and to adherence to the rules more than the regular publishing houses.
This comes within the framework of abiding by the conditions and regulations of the book fair, which would raise its value and status. "They must abide by it and help us with it as we helped them."
"We allocated for them the hall’s bookstalls to preserve their fame and to facilitate the public to find them," Bayoumi added.
Maps will also be distributed from the first day to the public for free, with many facilities for exhibitors, especially ID cards to enter with bar codes, so that they do not stop among the crowd at the gates once again.
Also, electronic screens will be placed in the halls to help the public in their search for publishing houses and their locations.
Contributed by Yara Sameh
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