Cairo: The Sultanate of Oman is the honored guest at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, which commenced in Cairo on Thursday. The Omani delegation was led by Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, the Minister of Information.
During his address at the event, Al Harrasi expressed appreciation for Oman being designated as the Guest of Honour for this year's fair.
He emphasized that this recognition underscores the strong and enduring relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt, highlighting their connections across various domains, particularly in civilizational, historical, and cultural contexts.
In a press release following the opening ceremony, Dr. Abdullah praised the efforts of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Egyptian Book Organization for their role in ensuring the success of the 56th edition of the fair.
He referred to the Cairo International Book Fair as one of the most remarkable historical exhibitions in the Arab world, noting its significance as a vital resource for readers, researchers, writers, and other stakeholders.
“Thanks to its diverse range of publications and cultural activities, the Cairo International Book Fair serves as a valuable source of knowledge that enhances the libraries in the region,” Dr. Abdullah stated.
The minister further remarked that Oman’s role as the guest of honour at the fair will strengthen cultural and intellectual exchanges and showcase the rich literary and cultural heritage of Oman.
Dr. Abdullah elaborated that the Omani pavilion will feature a variety of publications, specialized workshops, discussion panels, folklore performances, and other activities that reflect the modern advancements achieved by the Sultanate of Oman under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
The minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of cultural events in fostering the values of peace and understanding. He highlighted the need to support publishing houses, writers, and intellectuals, as well as to facilitate the exchange of experiences and promote a culture of knowledge acquisition through reading.
Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, Egypt’s Minister of Culture and the chief guest at the book fair, praised the Omani pavilion, expressing his admiration for its displays, which he noted “reflect the rich Omani culture and demonstrate Oman’s engagement with other cultures, particularly the enduring connections between the Omani and Egyptian peoples throughout history. This strong relationship is a key reason for Oman being selected as the guest of honour for this edition of the Cairo International Book Fair.”
Following this, the two ministers toured the Omani pavilion. At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, presented a commemorative gift to Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano.
Oman’s pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair features publications from various ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, along with contributions from civil society organizations, publishing houses, and Omani libraries.
Additionally, the pavilion showcases an exhibition of rare Omani manuscripts, a fine arts exhibition, musical and folklore performances, and screenings of short promotional and tourism documentaries about Oman. It also includes a special gallery dedicated to virtual reality (VR) technology, along with lectures, workshops, and poetry evenings.
The current edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, held in Nasr City, will continue until February 5, 2025. It features participation from approximately 80 countries and showcases the works of 1,345 publishing houses and 6,150 exhibitors of literary and intellectual publications, alongside more than 6,000 scheduled activities in the coming days.
