Oman gleams as Guest of Honour at Cairo book fair

CAIRO: The Sultanate of Oman is the Guest of Honour at the 56th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, which kicked off in Cairo on Thursday. Oman’s delegation was headed by Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information. Speaking at the event, Dr Abdullah valued Oman’s designation as the Guest of Honour of the 56th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair. The minister pointed out that the gesture reflects the deep-rooted bonds binding the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab Republic of Egypt, as well as the two countries’ strong ties manifested in various spheres, notably through civilisational, historical, and cultural aspects. In a press statement following the opening ceremony, Dr Abdullah commended the efforts of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Egyptian Book Organization in making the 56th edition of the book fair a success. He described the Cairo International Book Fair as one of the most spectacular historical expositions in the Arab world, noting that the book fair constitutes an important resource for readers, researchers, writers, and interested parties. “Due to the diversity of its publications and cultural activities, the Cairo International Book Fair serves as a source of knowledge that enriches the collection of libraries in the region,” said Dr Abdullah. The minister added that Oman’s participation in the book fair as the Guest of Honour will consolidate cultural and intellectual communication and showcase the Omani literary and cultural heritage. Dr Abdullah explained that the Omani pavilion will present a wide range of publications, specialised workshops, discussion panels, folklore performances, and other activities that highlight the modern progress relished by the Sultanate of Oman under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The minister summed up his statement by stressing the significance of cultural events in promoting the values of peace and understanding, supporting publishing houses, writers, and intellectuals, exchanging experiences, and spreading the culture of knowledge acquisition through reading. Dr Ahmed Fouad Hano, Egypt’s Minister of Culture (the chief guest at the book fair), lauded the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion, voicing his admiration for its exhibits which, he said, “reflect the deep-rooted Omani culture and affirm Oman’s communication with other cultures, including its strong ties between the Omani and Egyptian peoples since ancient times — the main reason why Oman has been chosen as the Guest of Honour for the current edition of the Cairo International Book Fair.” The two ministers went on a tour of the Omani pavilion. At the end of the tour, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, presented a commemorative gift to Dr Ahmed Fouad Hano, Egypt’s Minister of Culture. Oman’s pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair comprises publications from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, civil society institutions, publishing houses, and Omani libraries. The pavilion also includes an exhibition of rare Omani manuscripts, a fine arts exhibition, musical and folklore performances, and a screening of short promotional and tourism documentaries about the Sultanate of Oman. This is in addition to a special gallery for virtual reality (VR) technology, lectures, workshops and poetry evenings. The current edition of the Cairo International Book Fair, which takes place in Nasr City, will run until February 5, 2025. It is being attended by about 80 countries and hosts the products of 1,345 publishing houses and 6,150 exhibitors of literary and intellectual publications, in addition to more than 6,000 activities that will be staged over the forthcoming days. — ONA