PRESIDENT Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi inaugurated the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF, 22 January-5 February) on its golden jubilee on Tuesday. For the first time the fair is being held at the Egyptian International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo. A 45,000 sq m development divided into 723 pavilions, it houses 748 publishers, 525 book agencies, 419 events, 600 book launches — and 35 countries. While the guest of honour is the Arab League, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria are participating for the first time. With a focus on children and the young, a special programme revolving around an exhibition will also document the history of the fair.