Within less than two weeks, the biggest cultural event Egypt hosts annually, Cairo International Book Fair, would take place in an exceptional cycle in Egypt’s International Exhibition Center at the 5th Settlement. The fair, delayed from January because of COVID-19, currently undergoes final preparation stages with contradicting views and predictions of publishers who are to exhibit their publications there.
Hossam Othman, owner of Dar El-Oloom house for publishing and distribution, said that they will participate with 24 new books that will be exhibited for the first time in the next Cairo international book fair cycle, in addition to other 20 books that were already published and exhibited within the last year.
Othman: We have decreased the space of exhibition of our publication because of fear of the shrink of sales and audience
“We have decreased the space of exhibition of our publication because of fear of the shrink of sales and audience”, Othman added to “Trendify”. The categories of the published books would be quite varied this year to catch the interest of more potential customers.
The fact of holding the fair at this time made any predictions regarding it almost unrealistic since this cycle is unprecedented, according to Othman. “It is the first time in more than 50 years for the Cairo International book fair to take place on time other than January”.
Othman said that there could be an impact on sales because 30th of June would come at the end of the fiscal year where most governmental institutions would have their budgets over and many students would be taking exams. “All this would make this cycle exceptional and unpredictable with regard to the reaction of the audience”.
Abd El-Moety: holding the fair at this time could be a bad decision
Islam Abd El-Moety, the manager of “Rawafed” publishing house, said holding the fair at this time could be a bad decision at this time with all the publishing houses “obliged” to participate.
There are many factors that would make holding the next cycle of Cairo Book Fair improper, according to Abd El-Moety. “The choice of fair time in summer could make it uninviting for visitors especially if there are no air-conditioned waiting areas and the short time for running commercial ads for the fair”.
Abd El-Moety: the ongoing Thanaweya Amma and some university exams at the time of holding the book fair would represent a major challenge
Abd El-Moety added that the ongoing Thanaweya Amma and some university exams at the time of holding the book fair would represent a major challenge and lead to absence of an important sector of audience on individual level. “Moreover, on the institutional level, there is a lack of budget that is apparent throughout the last year and a half”.
“Safety from catching infection is still at risk”, Abd El-Moety said to “Trendify”. Despite the measure to be taken by the fair's organizing bodies, the fact of allowing more publishers than before would expose the whole infection control process to danger.