WANA (May 07) – The 36th Tehran International Book Fair officially opened today at Imam Khomeini Mosalla, launching under the slogan “Read for Iran”. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi, and several key figures from Iran’s publishing and cultural sectors.

 

Event Duration and Access Options

This year’s fair, which runs through Saturday, May 17, features both physical and virtual formats, accommodating a wide range of visitors and book lovers. The exhibition is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while the online portal at https://book.icfi.ir offers 24/7 access to titles for purchase.

 

Publisher Participation and Exhibition Layout

According to organizers, 2,363 publishers have registered to take part, including 1,326 physical exhibitors, all of whom are also participating in the virtual platform. Exhibitors have been allocated space across 75,000 square meters at the Mosalla complex.

Book Fair

Iranians visit the International Book Fair in Tehran, Iran, May 12, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Book Fair Sections and Content Diversity

The fair includes various sections such as Children and Young Adults, General Publishers, Educational and Academic Publishers, Foreign and Digital Publishers, and an International Section.

 

Public Transport Recommended for Visitors

Due to limited parking availability, Tehran’s traffic police recommend using public transportation. The Imam Khomeini Mosalla and Shahid Beheshti metro stations, located on Lines 1 and 3, provide the most convenient access to the venue, offering a quick and cost-effective option amid heavy city traffic.

 

Iraq as Special Guest

On the fair’s opening day, the pavilion of Iraq, this year’s Guest of Honor, was officially inaugurated. The ceremony was attended by Iran’s Minister Seyyed Abbas Salehi and Iraq’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Ahmed Fakak, along with Iraqi cultural figures and publishers.

 

Iraq is participating with 30 publishers and cultural representatives, emphasizing the growing cultural ties between the two neighboring countries. “I realized how vast the Tehran Book Fair is, with an impressive number of publishers and an even greater variety of titles,” said Minister Fakak, expressing his interest in exploring the event thoroughly.

Iranian women read books during the International Book Fair in Tehran, Iran, May 12, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Iranian women read books during the International Book Fair in Tehran, Iran, May 12, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Strengthening Cultural Ties

Minister Salehi also highlighted the significance of Iraq’s presence: “We believe that the cultural relationship between Iran and Iraq is strong, but it can become even stronger. We hope this visit and collaboration will help further deepen these ties.”

 

Tehran Launches Literary Fellowship Program

This year’s edition also features the first Tehran Literary Fellowship, running alongside the main book fair, aimed at fostering international literary and publishing cooperation.