CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 57th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), the largest edition in its history, opened here on Wednesday, hosting 1,457 publishing houses from 83 countries, Egyptian state-run Nile TV reported.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated the event at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, where it will run through Feb. 3.
This year's fair breaks records in scale and participation, with an estimated 6,637 exhibitors, said Egyptian Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hano, adding that the cultural and intellectual program features 400 events, 100 book-signing ceremonies and 120 art activities, with 170 Arab and foreign guests and over 1,500 intellectuals participating.
Egyptian Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz is honored as the fair's personality this year, while Romania serves as guest of honor.
Established in 1969, the CIBF is one of the oldest and largest book fairs in the Middle East. Last year's edition attracted a record 5.5 million visitors, according to local media. ■