Arab cultural officials participating in the Cairo International Book Fair said the event is a means to strengthen bonds of cooperation and communication among Arab countries and peoples; as it provides a great opportunity to display the cultures, civilizations and heritage of Arab countries.
In statements to MENA on the fringes of the newest edition of the fair, the officials said the Cairo book fair is one of the most prominent not only at the Arab level but also globally.
Mahmoud bin Khalifa bin Salem, an official at the Omani Ministry of Information, said his country is keen to participate in the Cairo International Book Fair every year, which he added reflects the strength of Egypt-Oman relations at all levels, especially the cultural one.
Ahd Yassin, the director of the Yemeni pavilion, said the fair provides a great opportunity for cultural exchanges and is considered a means to let people get acquainted with the Yemeni culture in a broad manner.
Bashar Jassim, Director of the Bahrain International Book Fair, stressed his country’s keenness to take part in such cultural events to familiarize the Arab public with Bahrain’s intellectual production.
He also pointed out that Cairo-Manama relations have been witnessing growth at all levels under the leadership of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Fadel Hussein Ahmed, director of the Sharjah Book Authority’s pavilion, said the UAE’s authority is keen to be present at the Cairo International Book Fair because of its importance in the region and the entire world.
He hailed as “distinguished” Egypt-UAE cultural relations, noting that Egypt is a cultural power base in the region.
Ahmed al Amadi, the director of the Qatari culture ministry’s pavilion, emphasized his country’s strong relations with Egypt in the cultural field, noting that Doha’s participation in the Cairo book fair is meant to showcase the intellectual heritage of Qatar.
The 54th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair kicked off on Wednesday with the participation of 1,047 publishing houses from 53 countries.
The fair, which will be open to the public through February 6, sees Jordan as the guest of honor.
Late Egyptian poet Salah Jaheen was chosen as this edition’s personality, while Egyptian writer Kamel Kilani, who is one of the pioneers of children’s literature across the Arab world, was selected as the personality of the children’s book fair.
