By: Yomna Walid
The Cairo International Book Fair is one of the Middle East&rsquo;s largest cultural events, drawing families, readers and writers from across generations. More than a commercial marketplace, the fair has long served as a space for cultural exchange and storytelling.
The 57th edition, which opened last Thursday, attracted more than 2 million visitors in its first five days, according to Egypt&rsquo;s Ministry of Culture.
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From Reader to Debut Author
NileFM joined debut novelist Amr Elhossiny during an exclusive tour of the fair, where he is presenting his first novel, Malabes Gadida (New Clothes).
For Elhossiny, this year marks a personal milestone. Having attended the fair since childhood, he is now taking part as an author, a transition he describes as deeply meaningful.
His interest in literature began early, shaped by popular Arabic series such as Samir and Ragol Al-Mustahil, as well as works by writers including Naguib Mahfouz, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Charles Dickens. He says writing became a way to process life and translate his experiences into fiction.
Writing without pause
Elhossiny describes his writing process as instinctive and continuous.
&ldquo;I wrote at any time and in any place,&rdquo; he says, explaining that he rarely allowed ideas to fade before committing them to paper.
Place plays a central role in "New Clothes.' Elhossiny says he personally visited every location featured in the novel to ensure accuracy and atmosphere, from Luxor&rsquo;s West Bank to the markets of Banha, and Cairo&rsquo;s Tawfiqia district.
The novel&rsquo;s primary setting, a psychiatric hospital in England, draws on his frequent travels to London. While some events are based on real experiences, he says names and details were altered to serve the narrative.
&nbsp;Fact, research and humility
The characters in the novel combine observation with research, particularly around themes of dissociative amnesia and childhood trauma. Elhossiny is cautious about overstating his achievement.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not a professional writer yet,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;But I tried honestly and worked very hard.&rdquo;
He is already working on two future projects, one aimed at children, and another focused on the October War. Adaptations of "New Clothes" for film or television, he says, will depend first on readers&rsquo; responses.
His advice to aspiring writers is direct: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t despair. Don&rsquo;t stop. Read a lot, learn from your mistakes, and trust your knowledge.&rdquo;
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Illustrating emotions before words
Children&rsquo;s literature also features prominently at this year&rsquo;s fair, supported by workshops and activities organised by the Center for Documentation and Research in Children&rsquo;s Literature.
NileFM also met Esraa Karam, an illustrator and teaching assistant at the Faculty of Applied Arts, who contributed illustrations to the children&rsquo;s book Wahdi Amam El Bab (Alone at the Door), written by Hagar Mohamed.
Karam says illustration offers a unique way to communicate emotional depth to young readers.
&ldquo;Children feel the image before they understand the words,&rdquo; she explains.
Visual storytelling for young readers
In Alone at the Door, illustrations take a leading role. Karam says she focused on emotional balance, using colour, facial expression and body language to guide the child&rsquo;s response to each scene.
She worked closely with the author to ensure emotional consistency while maintaining her artistic independence.
One scene stands out for her, when the child character finally hugs her mother.
&ldquo;There was warmth and safety,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;It felt like reassurance for the character and for me.&rdquo;
A record-breaking edition
The Cairo International Book Fair runs from 21 January to 3 February at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center. It is the largest edition in the fair&rsquo;s history, featuring 1,457 publishers from 83 countries and more than 6,600 exhibitors.
The programme includes hundreds of cultural events, book signings and artistic activities. Held under the slogan &ldquo;He who stops reading for an hour falls centuries behind,&rdquo; the fair welcomes Romania as guest of honour and celebrates Naguib Mahfouz as its featured literary figure.
For emerging writers and illustrators alike, the fair remains a vital platform showcasing new voices and reaffirming the enduring role of storytelling in Egyptian cultural life.
Photo Credit: Cairo International Book Fair&rsquo;s official page.

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