New Alamein City is welcoming its first-ever book fair this summer, bringing six weeks of books, workshops and cultural activities to Egypt’s North Coast.
The inaugural El Alamein Book Fair runs from August 1 to September 15, 2026, at Arena 2 Beach, next to Carrefour El Alamein. The event is organised by the Egyptian General Book Organization under the Ministry of Culture and forms part of a wider programme promoting culture and knowledge across Egypt’s newer cities.
A New Cultural Event for New Alamein
The fair is the first book exhibition to be hosted in New Alamein, adding a cultural dimension to a city already known for its growing summer entertainment and tourism scene.
Its launch is part of the Ministry of Culture’s plan to expand book fairs beyond Egypt’s major traditional centres and reach readers in governorates and newly developed urban communities. Organisers say the aim is to make books and creative activities more accessible while supporting cultural participation across different parts of the country.
The fair is being held alongside the “Discover Egypt’s Modern Cities” initiative under the slogan “Our New Egypt: A Nation with Room for Everyone.” The programme seeks to connect cultural activity with the development of Egypt’s new cities and strengthen ideas of belonging and national identity among younger generations.
Six Weeks of Books and New Releases
Visitors will be able to explore publications from the Egyptian General Book Organization and a number of participating publishing houses.
The selection is expected to cover literature, history, philosophy, social sciences and other areas of knowledge, with organisers emphasising affordable prices intended to encourage reading and book ownership. New releases will also be available throughout the fair.
The National Centre for Translation is among the cultural institutions participating in the event. Its pavilion will offer translated works across subjects including philosophy, the humanities, politics, history and literature, introducing visitors to international ideas and scholarship in Arabic.
A Programme for Children and Families
The El Alamein Book Fair is designed as more than a marketplace for publishers and readers.
A dedicated family and children’s programme will feature creative workshops, reading sessions, educational discussions and interactive performances. The activities aim to develop children’s skills, encourage imagination and introduce younger visitors to culture in a more engaging and accessible format.
This programme forms part of the “Egypt’s Children Forum” initiative, which combines learning and creative activities with opportunities for children to discover the major development projects taking place across Egypt’s modern cities.
Supporting Publishers and Expanding Access to Culture
The fair is also intended to provide participating publishers with a new summer platform and access to audiences spending the season on the North Coast.
By extending the event over six weeks, organisers are positioning it as one of Egypt’s major cultural activities of the summer rather than a short-term exhibition. The longer schedule gives residents, visitors and families more opportunities to attend throughout August and the first half of September.
The initiative reflects the Egyptian General Book Organization’s broader effort to transform book fairs into integrated cultural platforms that combine publishing with artistic, educational and community activities.
Bringing Books to the Mediterranean Coast
New Alamein has rapidly developed into one of Egypt’s most prominent coastal destinations, hosting concerts, festivals and seasonal events during the summer.
The arrival of its first book fair broadens that programme by placing literature and cultural learning alongside entertainment and tourism. Organisers hope the event will become a recurring part of the city’s calendar and an important addition to Egypt’s national network of book fairs.
Running until September 15, the first El Alamein Book Fair offers North Coast visitors a new kind of summer destination—one built around reading, creativity and access to knowledge.
