CAIRO: A book fair organized to take place in Egypt's capital during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was successful on its first day, today, despite wide expectations of failure due to timing and location. Many said holding a book fair on Cairo's Faisal Street during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, was both unprofitable and inappropriate. Cultural activities organized by the fair saw high public response. Many publishing house owners said they did not expect the book fair to succeed because it coincides with Ramadan and because of the deterioration of security in the wake of Egypt's January uprising that toppled the country's ruling regime from power. The public was very responsive to the children's book section as there was a sale on older books by the Egyptian Book Commission, which organized the fair. There was also an impressive response to the section of translated books both before and after iftar, the sunset meal when Muslims break their fast. The book fair is well organized and secured by military police.
