Iraq Shines as Guest of Honor at the 36th TIBF: A Celebration of Culture and Literature
Get ready for an exciting literary event as Iraq takes the spotlight as the Guest of Honor at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF). This prestigious fair promises to be a melting pot of culture, creativity, and collaboration from May 7 to 17, 2025, at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla.
During a press conference held on Sunday in Tehran, Ebrahim Heidari, the Deputy Director of the fair, announced that “Iraq will participate with over 15 publishers and a 30-member delegation. The Iraqi Minister of Culture will attend the opening ceremony of the TIBF,” as reported by Mehr.
Highlighting the importance of this participation, Thaer Jaafar Al-Asami, Deputy Head of the National Publishers Association of Iraq, stated, “This participation is a source of pride for our country. We are confident that our presence at this fair will strengthen cultural interaction and relations between the two nations.”
Here are some key points about Iraq’s participation:
- **Number of Publishers**: Iraq will be represented by 15 publishing houses.
- **Affiliations**: One publisher is connected to the Iraqi Council of Ministers, while the remaining 14 are members of the Iraqi Publishers Association.
Heidari elaborated on the scale of the event, stating, “2,363 Iranian publishers have registered for the fair, including 1,589 publishers from Tehran and 774 from other provinces. Moreover, 50 applicants from other countries have registered, with books displayed in the Arabic and Latin sections of the exhibition, mostly published between 2023 and 2025.”
This year, the TIBF has introduced the Tehran Publishing Fellowship Program, aimed at supporting Iranian works and facilitating their translation into other languages. A total of 81 publishers from 34 countries have signed up for the inaugural edition of this program, along with 64 Iranian publishers.
The participating foreign publishers represent a diverse range of nations, including:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Algeria
- Brazil
- China
- Egypt
- Hungary
- India
- Iraq
- Italy
- Malaysia
- Russia
- Spain
- Syria
- Turkey
The fellowship focuses on enhancing Iran’s presence in the global publishing arena, particularly in the realms of children’s and young adult literature. The term ‘publishing fellowship’ encompasses collaboration among publishers, authors, and literary agents for the sale of book rights.
Heidari also emphasized the significance of international participation, stating, “Thirty foreign authors will attend the fair, coming from various parts of the world. We hope that our engagement with these esteemed guests will continue after the Book Fair as well.”
Recognized as a national heritage and event, the Tehran International Book Fair not only invigorates and enriches the country’s culture but also attracts cultural figures and book lovers globally. This cultural event has evolved into a landmark fair in West Asia, having successfully held 35 editions in a row. It attracts millions of visitors each year, including thousands of university students, scholars, and their families.
The TIBF stands as the most significant cultural event in Iran. While foreign publishers predominantly provide materials in English or Arabic, titles in French, German, Chinese, Korean, Russian, or Japanese are also available, catering to a diverse audience.
The 36th TIBF is sure to be a remarkable celebration of literature, culture, and international collaboration. With the slogan **“Let’s Read for Iran”**, this year’s fair aims to inspire attendees and promote reading across generations.
Mark your calendars for this exceptional event in May and prepare to immerse yourself in a world of books, ideas, and cultural exchange at the Tehran International Book Fair.
