Egypt has launched an initiative to distribute one million books to citizens of all ages, aligning with the opening of the 56th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), which began Thursday. The event, running until February 5, welcomes Oman as this year’s guest of honor.
The CIBF, established in 1969, has become the largest and oldest book fair in the Middle East, ranking as the second-largest globally after the Frankfurt Book Fair. This year’s fair provides a platform for cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue, attracting book lovers and industry professionals from around the world.
Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hano highlighted that the book distribution initiative is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to promote cultural development and knowledge across various fields. The initiative will focus on human development, capacity building, and raising awareness of critical subjects such as literature, art, science, and translation.
In a speech at the launch ceremony, Minister Hano revealed that the books, which cover a wide array of topics including history, science, and art, will be distributed to schools, universities, youth centers, and human development organizations. The beneficiaries will include the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports, and Social Solidarity, as well as Al-Azhar University and the Journalists Syndicate.
This comprehensive initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-based society, one that is both intellectually engaged and culturally aware.