Minister Hanno said this during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly at the government headquarters in the New Capital.
Held under the patronage of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the fair will take place from 21 January to 3 February at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo.
During the meeting, Minister Hanno said this edition will see the widest international participation since the fair was launched, reflecting its strong global standing and growing cultural influence.
He said the Ministry of Culture is preparing an “exceptional” edition with a distinct identity inspired by Egyptian creativity and aimed at expanding spaces for dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The minister announced that Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz has been named Personality of the Year, while artist Mohieddin El-Labbad was chosen as Personality of the Children’s Book Fair.
Romania will serve as the guest of honour, presenting a cultural programme featuring roundtable discussions and seminars on cultural relations, according to a cabinet statement.
The programme includes 400 cultural and intellectual activities, 100 book-signing ceremonies, and 120 artistic events, with the participation of 170 Arab and international guests, as well as more than 1,500 writers, thinkers, and creators from Egypt and abroad.
Hanno said the fair will host prominent Arab and international literary figures, including Adonis, Shawqi Bazigh, Ibrahim Nasrallah, Hassan Najmi, Waciny Laredj, and Inaam Kachachi, as well as a wide range of academics.
A professional programme will also be held, with the participation of the president and secretary-general of the International Publishers Association.
Hanno highlighted several new initiatives accompanying this year’s edition, including a 20 percent discount on EgyptAir tickets for visitors travelling to attend the fair.
He also announced the launch of free Wi-Fi services for visitors and exhibitors as part of efforts to improve the fair’s digital services.
The digital initiative will also introduce new marketing tools that allow exhibitors to engage directly with audiences through interactive platforms supported by data analytics, in line with international exhibition standards.
The minister noted that the fair adopts an inclusive approach aimed at all age groups, with a particular focus on young people, who make up nearly 80 percent of attendees.
Youth-focused activities and programmes have been developed in cooperation with the Youth Parties Coordination.
Hanno said the timing of the 57th edition, which coincides with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, gives the fair added significance after a major global event that renewed international interest in Egypt’s history and ancient civilization. This renewed focus is reflected in the fair’s emphasis on Egyptian identity as a source of creativity and knowledge.
Last year’s 56th edition attracted a record 5.55 million visitors, including 388,643 on the final day alone, surpassing the 4.7 million visitors recorded in 2024.
Held under the theme “Read… In the Beginning Was the Word,” the 56th edition featured 1,345 publishing houses from 80 countries and 6,150 exhibitors.
The Sultanate of Oman was the guest of honour, while Egyptian scientist and writer Ahmed Mostageer was named Personality of the Fair, and author Fatima Al-Maadoul was selected as Personality of the Children’s Book Fair.
Launched in 1969, the Cairo International Book Fair has grown into a leading regional and international cultural platform and has been held at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo since 2020, after moving from Nasr City to accommodate its expanding scale.
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