NPA chairman lauds record participation of state-run press at 57th CIBF

Chairman of the National Press Authority (NPA), Eng. Sadek el-Shorbagi, stressed the pivotal role of state-owned press in shaping national identity during a comprehensive tour of the national press pavilions at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) on Tuesday.
El-Shorbagi’s tour included meetings with board chairmen and editors-in-chief of Egypt’s major state-owned newspapers and showcased the most successful participation by national press institutions in the history of the fair, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors with a wide range of publications covering both historical and contemporary topics.
He began his tour at the Al-Gomhuria pavilion, the flagship newspaper of Dar El-Tahrir for Printing and Publishing. El-Shorbagi praised the newspaper’s publications for highlighting political and national achievements in the New Republic, noting its ability to deliver accessible and engaging content to the general public while addressing key developmental and social issues.
At the Al-Ahram pavilion, el-Shorbagi commended the institution’s leadership, particularly through the offerings of the Centre for Political and Strategic Studies and rare heritage collections, describing Al-Ahram as the “diwan of Egyptian life” and applauding its use of digital displays to engage younger readers with its historic archives.
The Akhbar El-Yom pavilion was described as a “renewing school,” with el-Shorbagi highlighting the diversity of the Book of the Day series, translated works, and popular poetry collections.
At the Rose Al-Youssef pavilion, he reflected on the institution’s rich history in political and cultural critique, as well as art coverage, praising its publications documenting the history of the Egyptian national movement.
During his visit to Dar Al-Maaref, the oldest publishing house in the Arab world, he toured the children’s section and the renowned Green Library and Iqra series. He stressed that Dar Al-Maaref plays a central role in shaping young minds and praised its initiative to reprint key works at affordable prices under the “A Book for Every Citizen” programme.
Finally, at the Dar Al-Hilal pavilion, el-Shorbagi highlighted the institution’s extensive collections of historical magazines and publications on Egyptian cinema and art, noting its continued role in preserving cultural heritage and supporting literary and intellectual development.
In press remarks, el-Shorbagi stressed that state-run journalism is not just a conveyor of news, it is a genuine partner in building the Egyptian identity. In this 57th edition, we achieved unprecedented numbers in both sales and visitors, reflecting the Egyptian public’s enduring appetite for authentic knowledge and reliable content.