Cairo Book Fair kicks off, Kuwait guest of honor

Egypt's Interim President Adly Mansour inaugurated Wednesday the 45th Cairo International Book Fair in a big ceremony attended by Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. The opening ceremony saw a huge presence of government ministers and officials as well as Arab and Arab guests. A high-caliber Kuwaiti cultural delegation, headed by Information Minister Sheikh Salman, participated in the ceremony. President Mansour toured a number of the book fair's sections and displaying halls including Kuwait's pavilions. He then listened to a presentation about the fair from General Egyptian Book Organization (GEBO) Chairman Ahmed Magahed before leaving. For his part, Magahed said that this year's edition of the fair is themed "Culture and Identity" and focus on the main features of cultural identity of Egypt. He stated that the two-week fair, beyond just the buying and selling of books, will provide a variety of literary panels and discussions, poetry evenings, visual art galleries, and intellectual roundtables. He added that Kuwait, the guest of honor, will introduce a very rich cultural and artistic program during the fair days. Magahed noted that the fair has chosen iconic Egyptian writer Taha Hussein as its Person of the Year, to commemorate his death 40 years ago. To celebrate the occasion, the GEBO has announced that it will republish 20 of Hussein's rarest books. Nearly 24 countries, 17 Arab and seven non-Arab countries, are represent at the fair through 755 exhibitors. Over 518 Egyptian publishing houses are taking part in the event. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Information Minister Sheikh Salman said that he is glad to participate in the opening ceremony of this great Arab cultural event. "Kuwaiti leadership was proud of Egypt's decision to name Kuwait as guest of honor at the 45th Cairo International Book Fair," he said in statements to KUNA. Sheikh Salman, who doubles as chairman of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), praised the historic and deeply-rooted political and cultural relations between Kuwait and Egypt. He stated that Kuwait pavilions in the Cairo Book Fair will remain open for two weeks. The Minister unveiled that Kuwaiti contribution to fair will include photo galleries and the latest publications of the Ministry of Information and the NCCAL. Moreover, Kuwaiti bands will perform a special operetta and folklore arts. Kuwaiti several writers and intellectuals will partake in several seminars that will be held on the sidelines of the fair.