Cairo: Jordan, represented by the Ministry of Culture and several publishing houses under the umbrella of the Union of Jordanian Publishers, is participating in the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, inaugurated under the auspices of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Jordan's Ambassador to Cairo, Amjad Adaileh, attended the opening ceremony and commended the significant Jordanian involvement in this international cultural event.
According to Jordan News Agency, Ibrahim Al-Amiri, Director of the Cultural Promotion and Marketing Directorate at the Ministry of Culture, emphasized that Jordan's engagement in this cultural occasion aligns with a national strategy to bolster the publishing industry and strengthen the presence of Jordanian literature in the Arab cultural landscape. This participation enables local publishers to reach a broader audience and explore regional markets.
Al-Amiri highlighted that the involvement is facilitated through collaboration between the public and private sectors, with the Union of Jordanian Publishers playing a crucial role in organizing the participation of between 70 and 100 Jordanian publishing houses. This effort reflects the richness of Jordan's cultural scene and the vibrancy of its publishing sector.
Moreover, the Ministry of Culture is contributing as an official publisher by showcasing a range of publications, with nearly 200 new titles annually spanning various fields. This initiative supports Jordanian authors and promotes writing and publishing activities.
Al-Amiri remarked that Jordan's participation signifies its ongoing cultural presence in Arab forums and underscores the strong cultural ties between Jordan and Egypt. It also reinforces Jordan's commitment to fostering culture as a cornerstone of intellectual growth and a medium for cross-cultural dialogue.
Salah Tillawi, representing Dar Al-Ayam for Publishing and Distribution, noted the consistent participation of Jordanian publishers in the fair over the years. He highlighted Jordan's accomplishment in securing two seats on the board of the Arab Publishers Association and its active role in the association's committees, including leading the Artificial Intelligence Committee.
Tillawi mentioned that approximately 38 Jordanian publishing houses are partaking in the fair this year, underscoring a robust presence at a globally significant cultural event. Additionally, the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair marks the largest in its history, with participation from about 1,457 publishing houses across 83 countries, featuring 6,637 exhibitors and achieving the broadest international participation since the fair's inception.