Cairo Book Fair draws over 3 million visitors in first week ahead of Feb. 3 closing

CAIRO – 29 January 2026: The 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair has attracted more than three million visitors in its first week, Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hanno announced on Wednesday.

On the seventh day alone, around 467,512 visitors attended, bringing the total to 3,034,030 since the fair opened to the public.

Hanno said the unprecedented turnout underscores the fair’s status as one of the largest and most important cultural events in the region and the world.

 

He noted that the fair will continue to offer a wide range of cultural and artistic activities catering to all age groups until its conclusion on February 3, reinforcing the role of culture in shaping societal awareness.

The minister also highlighted the fair’s role as a platform for diverse cultural expressions, showcasing Egyptian, Arab, and international creativity.

The fair runs from January 21 to February 3 at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center in the Fifth Settlement under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The event carries the theme, “He who stops reading for an hour falls centuries behind”, features Romania as guest of honor, and honors Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz as this year’s celebrated figure.