Tehran Int’l Book Fair spotlights Yemeni culture, religion, and politics
By Hamideh Hosseini
Staff writer
Yemen is presenting 200 book titles at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair, with a focus on religious and political issues, the Ansarullah movement, and the cultural resilience of the Yemeni people, the head of the Yemeni pavilion told Iran Daily.
Abdulrahman Rajeh said the books aim to introduce Iranian readers to Yemeni history, traditions, and resistance culture. "We've been coming for several years to build understanding between our two nations," he said, adding that visitor interest has been strong.
The Yemeni pavilion offers mostly Arabic-language titles, but Persian-language brochures summarizing the content are available.
Two books in Persian are also on display — one exploring the ideas of Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, founder of the Ansarullah movement, and the other focusing on the group itself.
Visitors can also learn about Yemen’s September 21 revolution, the socio-political context surrounding the rise of the Houthis, and the movement’s core values.
Rajeh described the fair as a "bridge" between Iran and Yemen, helping to "pave the way for deeper cultural awareness."
The exhibit also reflects Yemen’s solidarity with Palestinians and resistance against foreign military interventions.
"The bravery of the Yemeni people stems from our literature and identity," Rajeh said. He pointed to the role of Ansarullah’s leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, as a symbol of defiance.
Rajeh praised Iran’s strong record in literary translation, noting that many Persian works have been rendered into Arabic and are now read widely in Yemen.
He said this has enhanced Yemenis’ knowledge of Iranian history, the Islamic Revolution, and Persian poetry.
He also highlighted growing cooperation in publishing and translation between the two countries, saying such efforts could lead to "richer cultural ties."
The Tehran International Book Fair opened on May 7 and runs through May 17, 2025, under the slogan "Let’s Read for Iran."