The King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication's pavilion at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair witnessed a remarkable turnout and high-level diplomatic presence from its opening day. The pavilion transformed into a platform for dialogue, bringing together a select group of officials and diplomats, reflecting the Center's prestigious standing as a beacon of cultural and intellectual influence aimed at fostering the values of dialogue and human connection on both regional and international levels. The fair, considered one of the most important cultural events in the Middle East, continues from January 21 to February 3, 2026.
High-level Saudi and Egyptian presence
At the start of the events, the pavilion welcomed the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Saleh Al-Hussaini, accompanied by the Acting Head of the Saudi Cultural Attaché, Dr. Mansour Al-Khathlan. The Saudi delegation was briefed on the center's latest publications and strategic programs, which reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's mission to promote a culture of moderation and tolerance, and to strengthen shared human values among peoples. This visit comes within the framework of the ongoing support provided by the Saudi leadership to cultural institutions to represent the Kingdom in the best possible way at international forums.
On the Egyptian side, His Excellency the Minister of Culture, Dr. Ahmed Henou, visited the center's pavilion, where he praised the quality of the intellectual content and the presented intellectual initiatives. During his tour, the Egyptian minister emphasized that the center's role in building bridges of communication between societies is a fundamental pillar for confronting contemporary intellectual challenges, stressing the deep historical and cultural ties that bind Cairo and Riyadh.
International engagement with distinguished guests and diplomats
The visits were not limited to the Saudi and Egyptian sides, but extended to include an international dimension reflecting the universality of the center's mission. The pavilion received the Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Korea to Egypt, Mr. Choi, where the center's efforts in promoting intercultural dialogue were reviewed, and ways to exchange knowledge and expertise between Arab and Korean cultures were discussed.
In a related development, and coinciding with the selection of Romania as the guest of honor for the 57th edition of the exhibition, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Center, Ibrahim Al-Asimi, held an important meeting with His Excellency the Romanian Minister of Culture, Andras Istvan Dimitar. The meeting addressed mechanisms for joint cooperation and the exchange of views on the role of think tanks in promoting the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, highlighting the Center's success in leveraging international platforms to open channels of dialogue with diverse European and global cultures.
The importance of participation and its strategic dimensions
The participation of the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Understanding in the Cairo International Book Fair is of paramount strategic importance, given that the fair is one of the oldest and most prestigious book fairs in the Arab world, attracting millions of visitors annually. This participation presents a valuable opportunity to showcase authentic Saudi identity and its positive interaction with other cultures, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on strengthening the Kingdom's international presence as an influential soft power on the global cultural stage.
Through these activities, the center seeks to correct misconceptions and present a true picture of Saudi society and its values based on tolerance and peace, in addition to building knowledge partnerships with similar international institutions, which contributes to enriching Arab and Islamic intellectual content.
