Cairo, January 20, 2026 – The activities of the 57th Cairo International Book Fair will launch tomorrow, Wednesday, amid significant cultural and media momentum, organized and supervised by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
The fair’s management has chosen the late world-renowned writer Naguib Mahfouz as this year’s personality, honoring his immortal contributions to Arabic and world literature, and his creative project as a landmark in modern narrative.
Romania is the guest of honor at the fair this year, a step that reflects the fair’s openness to global cultures and its role in strengthening bridges of cultural and literary exchange between peoples.
This edition witnesses unprecedented participation from Arab and foreign publishing houses, with approximately 1,457 houses from 83 countries around the world, marking the largest international presence in the fair’s history. This confirms its status as one of the most prominent cultural events in the region and the world.
Cairo
Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt, founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty near ancient capitals like Memphis. It is famously home to historic Islamic districts, the Egyptian Museum, and the Giza Pyramids on its outskirts, which date back over 4,500 years.
Cairo International Book Fair
The Cairo International Book Fair is an annual cultural event held in Cairo, Egypt, and is one of the largest and oldest book fairs in the world. It was first established in 1969 and is organized by the General Egyptian Book Organization, serving as a major hub for Arab and international publishers, authors, and intellectuals.
Egyptian Ministry of Culture
The Egyptian Ministry of Culture is a government body established in 1958, responsible for preserving and promoting Egypt’s vast cultural heritage and contemporary arts. It oversees numerous institutions, including museums, libraries, and archaeological sites, playing a central role in managing the country’s historical monuments and cultural policy.
Naguib Mahfouz
Naguib Mahfouz was a renowned Egyptian novelist and the first Arabic-language writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. He is best known for his Cairo Trilogy, which depicts life in Cairo across generations in the 20th century. His extensive body of work, deeply rooted in the social and political fabric of Egypt, has made him a foundational figure in modern Arabic literature.
Romania
Romania is a country in Southeastern Europe, historically formed from the principalities of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Transylvania. It is renowned for its preserved medieval towns, the Carpathian Mountains, and the legend of Dracula associated with Bran Castle.
