Norway ambassador: Cairo International Book Fair gateway for Norwegian literature
Hilde Klemetsdal, ambassador of Norway
to Egypt, expressed her sincere gratitude for inviting Norway as the guest
country for the 55th Cairo International Book Fair during a joint press
conference held with Minister of Culture Nevine El-Kilani.
Klemetsdal emphasized that the fair,
one of the biggest in the world, is an exciting opportunity to introduce her
country’s literature, art, and culture to an Arab audience.
During the press conference, the
ambassador announced that Crown Princess Mette-Marit would inaugurate the
Norwegian program at the fair.
Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Espen Barth Eide will also participate in the opening of the book fair.
The high-level participation is a
testament to the importance Norway places on the Cairo International Book Fair
and on the bilateral relations between Norway and Egypt, the ambassador
explained.
The book fair is a great opportunity
for Egypt and the Arab World to get acquainted with the works of the Norwegian
Nobel laureate Jon Fosse which have been translated into Arabic, Klemetsdal
mentioned.
Jon Fosse stands as a prominent figure
in contemporary literature and is one of the most widely performed playwrights
in the world today, she added.
The Norwegian program is designed to
reflect the breadth of Norwegian literature presenting many of Norway’s
world-class authors, some of whom will be in attendance to meet their Egyptian
readers.
The program will
last 13 days, the first part of it designed by the main exhibitor Norwegian
Literature Abroad (NORLA), while the second part focuses on literature for
children and young adults.
The 55th edition of the Cairo
International Book Fair will run between 25 January-6 February at the
Egypt International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo.
Tickets, which can be purchased online
or at the door, will cost visitor’s just EGP 5.
Source: Ahram
Online