Taking place for the first time in the Fifth Settlement, the just launched 50th Cairo International Book Fair is hoping to set a new world record for visitor numbers, with extra days added to the usually 12-day event.
According to Egypt Today, Haitham al-Haj, chairman of the General Egyptian Book Organization. expects the extra days to see visitor numbers exceed to 4.5 million that attended in 2018.
The Golden Jubilee edition is being held in the Fifth Settlement, necessitating fleets of buses to convey booklovers to and from the capital, and the entrance fee has been raised from 1 Egyptian pound to 3.
The event, which runs through 5 February, was opened by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. The Arab league is guest of honour.
For the first time a new website has been created to provide running commentary on the Cairo International Book Fair. Click here.
Follow the Cairo International Book Fair on twitter: @cairobookfair
