Tehran International Book Fair: Bridging Cultures and Fostering Global Connections Through Literature

The 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) is currently taking place at Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, establishing itself as one of the most significant cultural events in West Asia. This year, the fair showcases approximately 2,400 domestic publishers alongside 600 international publishers, offering a diverse array of books in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Spanish, Turkish, and Russian.

As the fair progresses, the Tehran Times has engaged with various foreign participants to discuss important topics surrounding literature and cultural exchange.

Katiuska Rodriguez, the Minister Counselor at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Iran, shared insights on her country’s third-time participation in the fair, emphasizing the importance of enhancing cultural relations between Iran and Venezuela. “This year, the embassy is showcasing 36 titles at its pavilion,” she mentioned.

Rodriguez compared the TIBF to the Venezuela International Book Fair, stating, “It is amazing to see so many Iranian publishers attending the Tehran International Book Fair. Venezuela holds a book fair annually as well, where foreign countries also attend; however, due to the sanctions imposed against Venezuela, the physical publication of books has been reduced. But we are trying to resist and not lose our publishing industry.”

Addressing the rise of social media in today’s digital landscape, Rodriguez remarked, “I think a campaign should be launched to encourage readers to once again read physical books (instead of e-books) as holding a book creates a good feeling.” She highlighted the efforts made over the past three years to introduce Persian literature to Venezuelans through translations of children’s books, poetry, and other literary works, stating, “It is important for us to know more about Persian culture and literature and also familiarize Iranians with the Venezuelan culture and authors.”

In another interview, Abdulrahman Rajeh, the head of the Yemen Ministry of Culture stand at the Tehran International Book Fair, expressed that this marks the third consecutive year Yemen is participating in the event. “Over 200 titles are presented at the Yemen pavilion this year, aiming at introducing the culture of Yemen as well as social, political, and cultural events and developments in the country, especially in the recent years,” he stated.

Rajeh acknowledged the TIBF as one of the largest and most significant book fairs in the region, garnering considerable attention from both the public and publishers alike. “However, due to the prevalence of the Internet and social media platforms, I think there has been a decline in the number of book readers, not only in Tehran but also all around the world,” he lamented.

Despite the digital shift, Rajeh believes physical books offer a unique intimacy. He stated, “Book fairs can help promote the culture of book reading among the public and improve the publishing industry. They also play a key role in creating cultural connections between the people of various nations.” He added, “Although books are not as popular as before across the globe these days, I believe that in the future, people will return to books.”

In the Yemen pavilion, Rajeh emphasized their mission to introduce Yemeni culture to Iranian visitors. He mentioned, “Great Persian poets like Hafez, Saadi, Ferdowsi, Molana, and others have poems about Yemen.” Furthermore, he noted that the cultural relations between Iran and Yemen have deep roots, dating back hundreds of years. Rajeh highlighted that book fairs provide excellent opportunities for fostering cultural exchanges, stating, “Persian books are usually translated into Arabic and Yemenis welcome them, particularly literary, historical, religious, and biographical books.”

Running from May 7 to 17, this year’s event is themed “Let’s Read for Iran,” underscoring the nation’s commitment to nurturing a culture of reading and intellectual engagement. Since its inception in 1988, the TIBF has grown significantly, attracting millions of visitors annually, including students, academics, and families.

This year, in addition to an extensive display of books, TIBF 2025 introduces the Tehran Literary Fellowship Program. This new initiative aims to strengthen literary exchanges and promote Iranian literature on a global scale.

The fair is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., allowing ample opportunity for visitors to engage with the vibrant literary community, discover new publications, and participate in cultural programs. As one of the most anticipated events in Iran’s cultural calendar, the Tehran International Book Fair continues to serve as a significant platform for literary discovery and cross-cultural dialogue.