For 1st Time Egypt Partakes in Nairobi Int'nal Book Fair

Egypt`s Ministry of Culture is participating, for the first time in Nairobi International Book Fair, with 220 titles.

Nairobi Book Fair chose the Egyptian Minister of Culture as the guest of honor.

“The Intellectual partnership with Kenya is a model for deepening the roots and historical ties between Egypt and the African continent,” Inas Abdel-Dayem, Minister of Culture, said.

She pointed out that the political leadership directed the ministry to intensify communication with African countries in this area.

“The invitation to participate in Nairobi Book Fair reflects the value and rank of Egypt in the heart of Africa and it sheds light on the intellectual mobility in the African societies as effective means of creating dialogue between nations,” she added.

Abdel-Dayem stated: “Egypt's first participation in Nairobi Book Fair comes as a positive response to the cultural celebration's agenda of Egypt presidency of the African Union, which was launched last January.”

“The exhibition is held at New Sarit Conferences Center in Westland- Nairobi,” said Haitham al-Haj, Head of the Book Organization.

It is organized by the Association of Publishers of Kenya with the participation of 70 local and 22 international publishers,” al-Haj added. “The Ministry of Culture, represented by the General Book Authority, is participating with 220 titles in the fields of thought, literature, art, politics and some other translated books.”

Al-Haj added: “Egypt`s participation comes as activation for the protocol of cooperation with the Kenyan side held during the Golden Jubilee of Cairo International Book Fair.” “This cooperation encourages the exchange of pavilions of the exhibitions in the two countries.”

Noteworthy, Jomo Kenyatta Award was named after Kenya's first president and it is the most important award in the field of literature in Kenya.

The award is presented by the Association of Publishers of Kenya; it was first awarded in 1974 under the name of Jumbo Kanata and then, because of the lack of financial resources, was to stopped until it was refinanced by Kenya Book Center.

It was back in 1992 to be held every two years in conjunction with Nairobi International Book Fair. Furthermore, in 2015, its official name was changed to “Textbook Center Jomo Kenyatta Prize “.