Tehran int’l book fair to go online due to wartime disruption
Iran will hold the seventh edition of the virtual Tehran International Book Fair in late May, after wartime disruptions and the temporary shutdown of some publishing units made it difficult for many publishers to plan for a physical presence at the country’s flagship literary event.
The decision was finalized at the policy council meeting of the Tehran International Book Fair, held last week, the Public Relations Office of the Culture Ministry’s Deputy for Cultural Affairs said in a statement, IRNA reported.
Mohsen Javadi, deputy minister for cultural affairs and head of the exhibition, said the online-only format was adopted in light of the country’s “special conditions” and to support the resilience of Iran’s publishing industry.
“A significant number of publishers were unable to prepare for physical participation,” the statement said, citing the atmosphere created by the imposed war and the closure of some publishing-related businesses.
The Tehran International Book Fair is one of the largest cultural events in West Asia, drawing hundreds of domestic and foreign publishers each year.
The virtual fair, first launched in January 2021 after the cancellation of the 33rd Tehran International Book Fair during the coronavirus pandemic, has since become a key platform for publishers and readers nationwide. Its third through sixth editions were held alongside the in-person fair each May from 2022 to 2025.
In a parallel support measure, the ministry said it will roll out a nationwide seasonal bookshop purchasing scheme in June to help brick-and-mortar bookstores benefit from state-backed incentives.
Further details on publisher registration and reader subsidies, including book vouchers and purchase grants, will be announced soon, officials said.