The ninth edition of the Damanhour International Book Fair is set to open today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, under the patronage of Dr. Jaquline Azer, Governor of El-Behira. The event, themed "Egyptian Identity.. Culture.. Awareness.. Built Identity," aims to enrich cultural life, promote societal awareness, and consolidate values of belonging and national identity. Over ten days, the fair will feature a diverse program of intellectual and artistic activities.
The fair will host various events, including intellectual meetings, literary and poetic evenings, and artistic performances, with the participation of prominent thinkers, intellectuals, writers, and artists. This year's program seeks to establish Damanhour as a cultural beacon, promoting knowledge and supporting creativity and talent discovery. The event is expected to attract a large audience from El-Behira and culture enthusiasts.
The first day's program includes several activities, starting at 2 PM. A meeting titled "Egyptian Identity" will be held at the conference hall, featuring Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Alexandria Library, and moderated by writer Amr El-Sheikh. The discussion will focus on the dimensions of Egyptian identity and its cultural and civilizational components.
In addition to the meeting, a poetic evening dedicated to the late poet Mohamed Khamis will take place from 4 to 6 PM at the conference hall. The event will feature a selection of poets and creators, presented by Dr. Mohamed Abu Ali. This will be followed by a musical performance at 6 PM at the Roman Theater, led by Maestro Ihab Mabrouk and the El-Behira Arabic Music Ensemble.
Another event, titled "Egyptian Identity in the Digital Age: Challenges of Reality and Future Bets," will be held at 7 PM at the conference hall. The discussion will feature Dr. Hisham Amara, Professor Kamal Rahuma, and Dr. Simon Nasser, focusing on digital transformations and their impact on cultural identity.
The Damanhour International Book Fair is part of efforts to enhance cultural and intellectual movement in the governorate, providing broader spaces for dialogue and interaction between intellectuals and the public. The event aims to consolidate the role of books and knowledge in building awareness, reflecting the richness of Egyptian identity and the diversity of its cultural tributaries.
The organizers invite the public from El-Behira and art and culture enthusiasts to participate in the fair's activities and enjoy a diverse program combining thought, literature, and art over ten days of creativity and knowledge.
Key points
- The ninth edition of the Damanhour International Book Fair is being held under the slogan "Egyptian Identity.. Culture.. Awareness.. Built Identity."
- The event features a diverse program of intellectual and artistic activities, including meetings, literary evenings, and performances.
- The fair aims to promote cultural life, societal awareness, and national identity.
