This year marks 120 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and the Arab Republic of Egypt, and our country is the Guest of Honor at the Cairo International Book Fair, taking place from January 22 to February 3, 2026. The Lunox Group is proud to be among the Romanian companies supporting, as sponsors, the celebration of this important milestone in Romanian–Egyptian bilateral relations.
The official opening of Romania’s stand will take place on Thursday, January 22, in the presence of the invited Romanian authors:
Tatiana Țîbuleac, Ioana Pârvulescu, Denisa Comănescu, Matei Vișniec, Varujan Vosganian, Bogdan-Alexandru Stănescu, Cătălin Pavel, and Radu Vancu, alongside representatives of cultural institutions and the fair’s audience. A special event at the opening of the Cairo International Book Fair will be a session dedicated to the works of Matei Vișniec and the premiere presentation of Arabic translations of his writings, published by Junimea Publishing House, Iași. Matei Vișniec will also give a lecture on the universal value of literature as a bridge between cultures. The event, organized in partnership with the French Institute in Egypt, will also mark the launch of Romania’s Presidency of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Cairo (GAAF).
A key focus of Romania’s inaugural presence as Guest of Honor in Cairo is on translations and editorial dialogue, with the launch of Romanian volumes translated into Arabic, including works by George Arion, Marin Sorescu, Petre Ispirescu, Ion Creangă, and Peter Sragher, as well as the presentation of trilingual editions (Romanian–French–Arabic) published by Junimea. In addition, professional meetings between Romanian and Egyptian publishers will take place, including the event “Cairo Calling – professional meeting with Romanian publishers,” aimed at developing editorial cooperation and literary translations.
The academic and research dimension is supported through events dedicated to Arabic studies in Romania, celebrating their 75th anniversary in 2026, the history of Arabic printing, cultural diplomacy, and international relations, with the participation of renowned Romanian specialists including Prof. Dr. George Grigore, Dr. Laura Sitaru, Dr. Bogdan Cojanu, Dr. Ioana Feodorov, Dr. Octavian-Adrian Negoiță, and Polycarp Chițulescu.
The program also includes the debate “Comparative Strategic Perspectives and Foreign Policy Priorities: Romania and Egypt at 120 Years,” organized in partnership with the New Strategy Center, as well as the roundtable “Beyond Borders: International Cultural Relations and Global Networks,” organized in partnership with the EUNIC cluster in Egypt and the Romanian Cultural Institute.
Young audiences and families are invited to a rich program of children’s literature, with interactive readings and workshops led by Mihaela Coșescu, Alex Donovici, Cristina Donovici, Cosmin Perța, as well as presentations of the most recent Arabic translations of Romanian children’s books, held in the children’s section of the fair. The cultural program is complemented by the Romanian–Egyptian photo exhibition “The Unknown Beauty of Romania,” dedicated to Romanian landscapes and traditions, featuring photographs by Mihaela Năstase, as well as performances of Romanian traditional music and dance by the Românașul ensemble throughout the fair. A special highlight will be the event “Panait Istrati in Egypt,” presented by the esteemed Professor George Grigore, dedicated to the Romanian writer deeply connected to the Mediterranean region.
On February 3, 2026, Romania’s participation will conclude with the official ceremony handing over the honor to the Guest of Honor country for 2027.
The Cairo International Book Fair is the most renowned book fair in the Arab world and Africa. It is now in its 57th edition. In 2025, the fair recorded a record number of visitors: 5.5 million.
Source: Ministry of Culture
https://www.cultura.ro/romania-tara-invitata-de-onoare-la-targul-international-de-carte-de-la-cairo-2026-120-de-ani-de-relatii-diplomatice-romania-egipt/