File Photo: Cairo Book Fair. Photo: (Al-Ahram)
The application, titled Book Fair Go, was announced ahead of the fair’s opening and is set to go live once the public enters the venue, according to officials involved in the project. The app is designed to address long-standing logistical challenges faced by visitors, including navigating the fair’s vast grounds, locating publishers, and tracking daily events.
The app was developed by the Ministry of Culture, through the General Egyptian Book Organization (GEBO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as part of broader efforts to modernize the fair’s organization and visitor services.
With hundreds of publishers and large crowds attending each year, finding specific stands or events has often been difficult. Organisers say the application aims to streamline movement inside the fair and reduce congestion by providing practical, user-focused tools.
Mostafa Ezz Al-Arab, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports and founder of the “Ana Motatawea” (I Volunteer) programme at CIBF, said the app integrates volunteer support into a digital platform intended to improve the visitor experience.
A central feature of Book Fair Go is an interactive digital map that allows users to locate exhibition halls, publishers, service points, and facilities. Visitors can search for a specific publisher or book title and receive directions within the fairgrounds, helping them reach destinations more directly and limit unnecessary movement in crowded areas.
The app also includes a searchable database of participating publishers and available titles, allowing visitors to plan their visits in advance and prioritize specific booths. Organizers say this is intended to help readers navigate the scale of the fair, particularly those with targeted academic, literary, or children’s book interests.
In addition, the platform provides a daily schedule of events, including panel discussions, book signings, workshops, and cultural performances. Users can browse activities by date, location, or theme, making it easier to follow talks by specific authors or critics.
The application also incorporates visitor support and safety functions, including options to request assistance, locate volunteers, and access emergency services. The app can also issue notifications about crowded areas to help manage foot traffic during peak hours.
The launch reflects growing pressure on large public events to meet expectations for real-time information and digital accessibility. Officials stated that the app is part of a wider effort to improve coordination and accessibility at major cultural gatherings.
Developed in cooperation with youth volunteer initiatives, the platform links digital guidance with on-site human support, with volunteers assisting visitors throughout the venue.
While the app does not replace the traditional charm of browsing book stands or engaging in spontaneous literary discovery, it complements these experiences by making navigation and planning easier for visitors, so they are free to focus on books, discussions, and exploration rather than facing confusion or overcrowding.
Not only does the application assist frequent visitors to the fair, but it also offers reassurance and structure to first-time attendees in an otherwise vast and bustling environment, allowing them to enjoy every part of their journey among the books.
In the end, CIBF's success has always rested on its ability to bring readers, writers, and publishers together. By embracing digital innovation while preserving its cultural essence, the fair demonstrates that tradition and technology need not stand in opposition. Instead, they can work together to create a more efficient and engaging cultural experience for all.
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