Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif opened yesterday the 41st session of the Cairo International Book Fair on behalf of President Mubarak. Nazif toured the Egyptian stands and those of the countries participating in the fair this year, in addition to stands of the various ministries and bodies. 765 publishers from 27 Arab and foreign countries take part in the fair this year, the chairman of the General Authority for International Fairs & Exhibitions Sherif Salem said, adding that the increase in the number of Arab and foreign publishers is a result of their confidence in the fair.
Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said Cairo Book Fair has become an essential feature of cultural life, not only in Egypt, but also in the Arab world and beyond. He then added that everybody waits for the fair every year to learn what is new in all human sciences. The fair's form and content have been developed in recent years, Hosni said, calling on visitors to open up to British prestigious culture as this is a golden opportunity for anyone who wants to be closer to and get acquainted with this culture. Britain is the fair's guest of honor this year.
The fair is visited by up to 2 million people, a large number compared to all fairs in the Arab region and Europe. In Paris or Geneva, for example, the number of visitors is only about 200,000.
