Prime Minister Sherif Ismail inaugurated Wednesday 47th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) amid tight security.
Security measures around the fair’s location were increased up, with surveillance cameras installed, and bomb squads deployed to secure the stands, reported Youm7.
The fair comes after intensive security built-up witnessed in Cairo streets two days ago in coincidence with the fifth anniversary of the January 25 Revolution.
Fixed security checkpoints were established, in coordination with Cairo security directorate, to protect the fair from any attempted attacks.
The annual fair exhibits the biggest book collection in Egypt; it witnesses a flow of enthusiastic readers and writers into its tents.
Based in Nasr City, near Al-Azhar, the fair will be opened daily for book selling until 7 p.m., and until 9 p.m. for cultural events.
This year, the fair is dedicated to honor Egypt’s renowned novelist Gamal al Ghitany who passed away in October 2015, picking a theme of “Culture In The Foreground.”
Bahrain is the guest of honor of this year’s exhibition, Ali said, adding that Azbakeya market for second-hand books will have 95 booths at the fair.
A number of activities, symposiums and cultural events will be held on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of the Egyptian novelist and Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz.
