Book Fair Bigger Than Ever

Literature fans rejoice! Despite rumours that this year’s Cairo International Book Fair may be cancelled, organisers have been quick to shoot down the hearsay, releasing a statement that the fair is thankfully still on.

The Cairo International Book Fair is the oldest and biggest book fair in the Arab world. The fair will open on 22^nd January, until the 6^thFebruary, taking place on the fairgrounds in Nasr City and will not be cancelled or delayed for any reason, according to the General Egyptian Book Organisation (GEBO).

The statement was in response to rumours that circulated on Friday, claiming that the Egyptian government would cancel the book fair immediately after announcing the results of the constitutional referendum.

GEBO director Ahmed Megahed reiterated that officials and workers are working around the clock to add all the finishing touches. The book fair will be celebrating its 45 year anniversary, and will actually be two days longer than originally planned. The fair's guest of honour will be Kuwait, and their Person of the Year has been awarded to the dean of Arabic literature, Taha Hussein, in remembrance of his death, 40 years ago.

This year the fair plans on hosting 755 publishers from 24 different countries, and may just be the largest instalment yet.