Russian Writers Arrive in Cairo, Eager to Join Book Fair and Visit Grand Museum

A delegation of Russian writers arrived in Cairo this morning to participate in the Cairo International Book Fair. The delegation includes writer and poet Mikhail Levantovsky, novelist and writer Anna Matveeva, poet and writer Maxim Zamshev, and Anya Chunikova, representative of Routenia Publishing House.

Members of the delegation expressed their happiness at taking part for the first time in the Cairo International Book Fair, describing it as one of the most important book fairs in the world. The Russian writers also said they are eagerly awaiting their visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has received extensive coverage in Russian media recently. For this reason, the delegation requested that the Russian participation program include a visit to the museum, in coordination with the organizing committee, OGE Publishing House, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, and the Federal Agency for International Cooperation.

The writers noted that they are looking forward to meeting the Egyptian public through a seminar at the Russian House in Cairo on the evening of January 21, and another seminar at the Russian House in Alexandria on the evening of January 22.

Dr. Vadim Zaitchikov, Director of the Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt, stated that meeting the Russian writers will give Egyptian audiences and lovers of Russian literature a valuable opportunity to discover the creative works of a new generation of young Russian authors, as well as to engage in dialogue with their Egyptian counterparts.

Arseny Matyushenko, Director of the Russian House in Alexandria, confirmed that the Alexandrian public, along with a group of Alexandria’s writers and poets, are eagerly awaiting the meeting with the Russian delegation.

For his part, Sherif Gad, Director of Cultural Activities at the Russian House, explained that the delegation includes a distinguished group of creatives whose works will be closely explored. Poet and writer Mikhail Levantovsky has published his novels in magazines such as Yunost and Siberian Lights, and one of his novels was shortlisted for the Lyceum Prize in 2023. His first novel was titled “Invisible Saratov”, followed by “Silence or Speech”, which addresses the nature of family conflicts, in addition to several poetry collections.

Novelist and writer Anna Matveeva has written numerous articles on literary issues, was nominated four times for the Big Book Prize and won it twice, and has received the Bazhov Prize and Italy’s Lo Stellato Prize. In 2025, she won the Cinematic Adaptation Award for her novel “Every Hundred Years.”

Poet and writer Maxim Zamshev, Editor-in-Chief of a literary newspaper, writes weekly articles on literary criticism, works as a translator, and has received numerous literary awards. He also won the Literature and Arts Prize of the Central Federal District of Russia.