Representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly officially inaugurated the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) today. The event, held under the President's auspices, is taking place at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo from January 21 to February 3, 2026.
A Tribute to Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz
This year’s edition is themed "He who stops reading for an hour lags behind for centuries," a poignant quote by the late Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz, who has been selected as the "Fair’s Personality" for 2026.
Other key highlights include:
Child Book Fair Personality: The late renowned artist Mohieddin El-Labbad.
Central Theme: The "Egyptian Writer" serves as the focal point for cultural activities.
Guest of Honor: The Republic of Romania, marking the upcoming 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Egypt.
Record-Breaking Participation
During his tour, Minister of Culture Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno emphasized that this edition is the largest in the fair's history.
Exhibitors: 1,457 publishing houses from 83 countries.
Total Participants: Over 6,600 exhibitors.
Events: Approximately 400 cultural seminars, 100 book signings, and 120 artistic performances.
The Minister noted that this year’s fair celebrates Egyptian civilization following the historic opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), integrating national identity into the cultural program.
High-Level Government Presence
The opening ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including the Minister of Culture, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, the Governor of Cairo, and Romanian officials, including Minister of Culture Andras Istvan Demeter and Ambassador Olivia Toderean.
Prime Minister Madbouly praised the continuous evolution of the fair, stating:
"This development solidifies the enlightened role of this prominent cultural event on both Arab and regional scales. It crowns the Egyptian state's commitment to fostering thought and culture as vital tools of its soft power."
Key Highlights from the Prime Minister’s Tour
Ministry of Culture: Dr. Madbouly was presented with prestigious heritage collections, including Lisan al-Arab by Ibn Manzur and the Ancient Egypt encyclopedia by Selim Hassan.
Ministry of Defense: The pavilion honored the late Lt. Gen. Abd Rab el-Nabi Hafez, former Chief of Staff, and showcased the "October Memory" digital archives.
Innovation & Digitalization: The Prime Minister reviewed the 2026 Police Services Guide at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion and discussed financial inclusion indicators at the Central Bank and Administrative Control Authority joint pavilion.
Social & Regional Representation: Halayeb and Shalateen: The PM met with local artisans showcasing traditional crafts, who praised the development projects in their region.
National Council for Women: Discussions focused on the empowerment of female breadwinners.
Census Update: The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that Egypt’s population has reached 108,618,000.
New Initiatives
The 2026 edition introduces several qualitative initiatives:
"A Library for Every Home": A project aiming to return physical books to the heart of the Egyptian family.
"Ahlina wa Nasna" (Our People): A dedicated camp showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of Egypt's various governorates.
Expanded Child Pavilion: Spanning nearly 8,000 square meters, featuring interactive activities and the reprinting of Mohieddin El-Labbad’s works.
The Prime Minister concluded his visit by taking a commemorative photo with the fair’s volunteer teams, praising their vital role in managing the massive influx of visitors and ensuring the success of this global cultural landmark.
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