CAIRO - It was cancelled last January because of the revolution, but now the Cairo International Book Fair is back, all about the revolution. Nearly all of the new books, seminars, poetry recitals, theatrical shows and performances by different troupes at the Fair, in one way or another, seem to depict and celebrate the Arab Spring and the Egyptians' revolt. "It may be smaller, less crowded and less glamorous, but I'm really very happy that it's back," says Khaled Moustafa, a civil servant who has been going to the Fair every year for the past decade. "I doubted that it would be held this year," adds Moustafa, happy with the Fair's revolutionary spirit. The Fair has coincided with Egyptians celebrating the first anniversary of the revolution and continuing political tension. Many people were worried that it might be cancelled again, but, against all the odds, it has come back. "One big difference this year is the dominance of the theme of revolution," says Ahmed Amer, a university student who spent all of the 18-day revolution in Tahrir Square. Besides the usual cultural activities, there is a section this year dedicated to the testimonies of the revolutionaries. Also reflecting the revolutionary spirit is the choice of Tunisia as a guest of honour this year. A group of Tunisian intellectuals and artists are participating in the Fair, sharing their country's experiences with revolution. Abdel-Raouf el-Gharbi, who is working in the Tunisian Pavilion, was sure that the Fair would go ahead. "This is what revolutions should offer their countries. Revolutions can't stop culture and cultural activities, but rather they encourage them," he says, adding that Tunisian cultural activity is up by nearly 30 per cent this year. El-Gharbi is selling more than 300 different titles. About ten of them deal with the Tunisian revolution and they are selling like hot cakes. This year 745 publishers from 29 countries ��" 17 of them Arab ��" are taking part in the Fair. The decision to hold the Fair is good news for publishers, who are hoping to compensate for some of their losses last year. "Some publishers, especially from abroad, are afraid that what happened last year might be repeated this year, so they haven't turned up,” says Mohamed Hassan, an Egyptian publisher. Although he still complains that he has, so far, had far fewer clients than in previous years, he is optimistic about the coming days. The fair runs until February 7. Hassan says that religious books are still the best sellers, although the sales of political books are up this year. Political titles and books on revolutions are also among the best sellers at the AUC Press pavilion, where more than 15 titles on revolution are on sale. "Of course the revolution and what has been happening over the past year are interesting topics for many readers," says Atef el-Hoteibi, Special Sales and Marketing Manager at the AUC Press. He believes that the low turnout may be due to the modest advertising for this year's Fair, while the media are focusing on what is happening in Tahrir Square. As usual, many visitors to the Fair are complaining about the high prices. But el-Hoteibi argues that they are offering generous discounts on books, in spite of the rise in the prices of the materials because the US dollar is getting stronger. The works on the revolution include second editions of some publications that were published before the revolution and predicted that it would happen. The fact that the Cairo Fair Grounds is still under renovation makes it difficult to hold the Book Fair in the same old shape that people are used to. Karim Hesham, an engineering student, is disappointed about the bad state of the Cairo Fair Grounds. "For me, the Cairo Book Fair is not about books but enjoying the place and the festive mood," he says, adding that he hopes the Fair will look better next year. One of the most popular attractions in the Fair is proving to be the booksellers from el-Ezbekia market, whose second-hand books are reasonably priced. One bookseller notes that this year many of his customers have been inquiring about books about history and politics, especially those dealing with revolutions around the world. Some cultural centres are not ready to participate in the Fair, opting instead to hold events on their own premises. The return of Cairo Book Fair, the first major international cultural event in post-revolution Egypt, gives hope that other international events will follow. Major cultural events cancelled last year included the International Cairo Film Festival, the International Experimental Theatre Festival, the National Film Festival and the National Theatre Festival.
