Symposium at Alexandria Book Fair Examines Memes as Tools of Cultural Influence

A symposium at the Alexandria International Book Fair discussed how internet memes have evolved from entertainment into a form of digital cultural communication and persuasion.

• Ahmed Esmat, a media technology consultant, stated that memes are no longer just entertainment but have become a form of digital cultural communication.
• Esmat noted that the term "meme" was first coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in 1976 to describe a unit of cultural transmission through imitation.
• He said the first globally spread internet meme was the "Dancing Baby" in 1996, and that memes now rely on psychological mechanisms such as evoking strong emotions and a sense of belonging.
• The 21st edition of the fair, featuring 86 publishers and 410 events, continues until July 20, 2026.