Cairo International Book Fair
The world’s second largest book fair is held in Cairo each year (Frankfurt’s book fair is the largest). Of course, we had to go. And even though we knew it would be big, we didn’t plan that, after four hours of walking around the fairgrounds, we would still have more than half the fair to see.
Just one hall at the fairgrounds.
While walking through a hall I happened to see a man who vaguely resembled Albert Einstein, with slightly wild grey hair and dark glasses. He looked exactly like the guy on the back of jacket of the book which I had finished just the day before. And lo and behold, he was sitting in front of the Arabic language copy of the book I had read. So, I introduced myself to Sonallah Ibrahim and told him, in very poor Arabic, mixing up colloquial Egyptian Arabic with standard Arabic, how much I enjoyed his book, “The Committee”.
He asked me if I spoke English and indicated I could sit down next to him. I was flattered, so I sat down, but then quickly realized that I didn’t have anything else to say to him (in Arabic or English). So, I gave him a few more compliments and then excused myself, completely embarrassed that I couldn’t say anything more intelligent to one of Egypt’s leading modern writers.
While trying to find a bathroom we happened upon the lively used book section of the book fair.
Surprisingly, the riot police were at the book fair. I had a hard time imagining literature-loving rioters, but a friend of ours told us later that two years ago an opposition group staged a demonstration at the book fair because they knew the riot police wouldn’t suspect it. Aruba awi (“pretty clever”).
After four hours of wandering through books written in a language you don’t understand, you’ve got to stop for food.
admin
February 2nd, 2007 at 1:17 am
So cool! You guys must have been in heaven.
February 3rd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
guys! i’m an egyptian, and i’m currently working and living in Saudi Arabia, i really love your blog, i was on the verge of crying, becuase the pictures and words really touched me, i used to love going to the fair each year and going to Sour Al Azbakeya for books n stuff, and i used to love exploring Cairo myself, and i gotta tell you there’s always something new, but you gotta love it to find that pretty thing, and i have a feeling you did touch on the most basic essence of Cairo, with your pictures / words and replies, enjoy your time there, and say hello to the nile for me
February 4th, 2007 at 8:24 am
A book fair, even if in another language would be such a joy. Now, I’m jealous!
February 7th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Thanks for your comments, Mirrorcrax. I’m glad that you think we are doing a good job finding and experiencing the true essence of Cairo. Any other places you suggest we visit before we leave Cairo?
March 12th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I’m not sure if you left cairo or not, your post says “Posted from Saudi Arabia” but if you’re still in Cairo, you might want to check out the Baron Impain Palace in Heliopolis, the corba area in heliopolis which was constructed one century ago by belgiums who really knew what islamic architecture was all about, quite ironic compared to the modern houses built by egyptian architects nowadays, ofcourse you may want to check out al mokatam which is a higher hill overlooking cairo, hmmm what else… you could try al tekeya restaurant it’s on al hejaz street between the heliopolis square and mahkama (court) square, right opposite to mobil petrol station, there’s also Zeinab Khatoun house which is right infornt of al Suhaimi house, you could checkout the pictures on my travel page on http://www.virtualtourist.com