11th Baku International Book Fair hosts 400 Iranian titles
Iran opened a 20-square-metre national pavilion at the 11th Baku International Book Fair on Wednesday, showcasing some 400 titles and hosting diplomatic and cultural dignitaries at the event in Azerbaijan’s capital.
The pavilion is a key element of Iran’s cultural diplomacy at the fair, designed to “bridge” Iranian and Azeri literary communities, IRNA reported.
In the first hours, envoys from Qatar, Russia and Venezuela, the chair of Azerbaijan’s parliamentary Culture Committee and the head of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union visited the booth. Their praised the “richness” and “diversity” of the volumes on display.
Iran is represented here by Iran Book and Literature House, voicing ambitions to expand its literary export and strengthen ties through the written word. The pavilion highlights not only poetry and fiction, but also children’s literature, Persian language instruction, Iranology, scientific works, history, art and non-fiction.
On site, officials said the Iranian presence included publishers such as Nimaj and Seljuk Literary Agency. Panels will be held on translation, copyright, and the application of technology to reading.
The fair, running from October 1 to 7 at the Baku Expo Center under the theme “Techno-Human: Yesterday’s Legend, Today’s Event”, features 123 local and 68 foreign exhibitors from 23 countries. Over 250 events are slated, from book signings to symposia.
In his opening address, Polad Bulbuloglu, chair of the Azerbaijani parliament’s culture committee, said the fair “demonstrates Azerbaijan’s cultural potential” and boosts its links to world literature.
Isa Habibbayli, president of Azerbaijan’s Academy of Sciences, described it as a “pivotal event” in national cultural life.