Iranian publishers attend 41st Int’l Istanbul Book Fair
The 41st International Istanbul Book Fair kicked off on Saturday, featuring a strong presence of Iranian publishers alongside participants from Turkey and other countries around the world.
The fair, which is considered the largest cultural and literary event in Turkey, has brought together hundreds of authors, readers, and over 1,000 publishers and civil society organizations, IRNA reported.
Iran’s participation in the fair is significant, with the Iranian House of Book and Literature showcasing the country’s latest publishing achievements in a 18-square-meter booth. The booth will also promote the Tehran International Book Fair and invite foreign publishers to participate in the event.
In addition, the Iranian delegation will introduce the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s support schemes for translating and publishing Iranian books, as well as Iranian literary awards and festivals.
The fair’s opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazar. Governor Gül emphasized the importance of diversity and cultural exchange, stating that “our country is a country that considers diversity as wealth, and the most important sign of this diversity is the book.”
This year’s fair has a special focus on children, with the theme “Childhood is a Celebration” inspired by the works of renowned Turkish children’s author Yalvaç Ural. The fair will feature various events and activities aimed at promoting children’s mental and emotional growth, encouraging reading, and fostering creativity.
The 41st International Istanbul Book Fair will run until November 10, with over 500,000 visitors expected to attend. Entrance is free for students, teachers, retirees, people with disabilities, and children, while others will be charged a fee of 20 Turkish lira.
Other participants in the fair include publishers from China, Azerbaijan, and other countries, with a total of 12 Chinese publishers attending this year’s event. The China-Turkey Publishing Cooperation Forum was held on the fair’s opening day, highlighting the importance of cooperation between Chinese and Turkish publishing houses.