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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 April 1999 Issue No. 424 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 April 1999 Issue No. 424
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A new home for books
By Nevine El-Aref
In what could prove a rival to the old Azbakiya book market, a permanent display area for new and second-hand books was opened on Sunday by Culture Minister Farouk Hosni in Fouad Mohieddin Square, popularly known as Mustafa Mahmoud Square, in the upscale district of Mohandessin. Also officiating at the opening ceremony were Giza Governor Maher El-Guindi and Mustafa Mahmoud, the author whose name was given to the square and a renowned mosque in the vicinity.
"The exhibit is similar to the old book market of Azbakiya and is also a modest imitation of book markets along the Seine in France," Hosni said. He added that it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture to encourage people to read by ensuring the availability of modestly-priced publications.
The bookstands are divided into two sections, one for new publications and the other for second-hand books. The new bookstalls bear pictures of famous Egyptian writers and thinkers. In a nearby public park, there are benches for people to sit and read in the open air.
The book fair's establishment, according to El-Guindi, has upgraded the area where cars previously were parked and refreshment vendors loitered.
Mustafa Suleiman, the man responsible for the project, said that it was started by the Giza Governorate six months ago. The 50 bookstands located around the square are rented not only to leading publishers, such as Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar and Dar Al-Tahrir organisations, but also to fresh university graduates. The monthly rent is LE250, but El-Guindi announced during the opening ceremony that the figure would be reduced to LE100.
Ihab Rifai, a graduate who rents three stands, said that in order to be eligible, a graduate must be a Giza inhabitant, unemployed, under 35 and must have completed military service. The Giza Governorate receives LE4,000 in advance from vendors -- LE3,000 as a down payment and LE1,000 as insurance.
