Learn about the Cairo International Book Fair
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Lesson 22, The Cairo International Book Fair. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [ معرض القاهرة الدولي للكتاب(maʿraḍ el-ʾāherah el-dawlī lelketāb)]. |
| This important cultural event in Egypt is held on a yearly basis. The book fair is held annually during the schools' mid-term vacation. Many people, around 2 million visitors, visit the book fair annually. |
| In this lesson, you will find out more information about the Cairo book fair and its history in Egypt. |
| Now, before we go into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| Do you know who established the first book fair in Cairo? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| The Cairo International Book Fair is one of the biggest book fairs in the Middle East or [ الشرق الأوسط(elšarʾ el-ʾawsaṭ)]. The fair was held for the first time in 1969, as a part of Cairo millennial anniversary celebrations. |
| The Cairo Book Fair is held during winter break, or [ أجازة نص السنة (ʾaǧāzet noṣ el-sanah)], at the end of January. It often starts on Wednesday. The duration of the fair is about twelve days and sometimes it is extended by three more days because of the high demand. In other words, it lasts for about two weeks. The first day is the official opening while the second day is for publishers. After that, the fair is open to visitors. |
| The Cairo Book Fair is considered to be the biggest cultural meeting in the Middle East. Publishers from various Arab and foreign countries participate in it. During the Fair, many cultural seminars, or [ ندوات(nadawāt)], are held. Not just that, there are also shows at cinemas, theaters, as well as plastic art shows and music shows. Did you know that in 2006, the Cairo International Book Fair was the world’s second biggest book fair after the Frankfurt Book Fair? |
| Because the Book Fair is held during the mid-term vacation, the visitors aren't just adults and intellectual people, it is also considered to be a nice outing for the whole family; even children find some nice toys in the fair that are suitable for their age and which can help develop their mentalities. |
| And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| Do you know who established the first book fair in Cairo? |
| The credit for establishing the first Book Fair in Cairo goes to the writer and researcher Soheir El-Calamawy, who was the first women to attend King Fuad the First’s University, now known as Cairo University. She was also the first Egyptian woman to earn a PhD, or [ دكتوراه (doktorāh)], in Arabic literature. This is why the fair celebrated El-Calamawy in 2008 as the person of the year. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Have you ever visited a book fair? Let us know in the comments and we’ll see you next time! Bye! مع السلامة (maʿ el-salāmah)! |
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