Cultural chords strike deep, rallying support for Iran’s pavilion in Tunis
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied visited Iran’s pavilion at the 2026 Tunis International Book Fair 2026 during the fair’s opening at the Kram Exhibition Palace, where organizers reported notable public engagement and expressions of solidarity with the Iranian people.
The 40th edition of the fair, running through May 3 under the theme “When the book becomes a homeland,” has brought together 394 publishers, including 210 international participants and 184 Tunisian houses, showcasing more than 148,000 titles, according to Mehr News Agency.
Opened to the public on April 23, the event features participation from 37 countries, with Indonesia as guest of honor, underscoring Tunis’s push to deepen cultural linkages with Asia.
During his tour, Saied stopped at several national pavilions, including those of Algeria, Palestine, Oman, Iran, and Russia, alongside institutional exhibitors such as ministries and academic centers.
At the Iranian stand, Ambassador Mir Masoud Hosseinian presented the president with a finely printed Qur’an dating back to the first century of the Islamic calendar. Cultural Attaché Jafar Morvarid also attended.
Iran’s pavilion, organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, features cultural exhibits alongside visual tributes referencing recent military attacks and commemorating victims, including schoolchildren from Minab.
A representative of Nakhl-e Sabz International Publications said visitor turnout at the Iranian stand has been “striking,” with attendees voicing visible solidarity, even as the broader exhibition infrastructure falls short of leading Arab book fairs.
The program includes high-level seminars on translation challenges, the intersection of literature and cinema in Tunisia, digital plagiarism, and intellectual property, as well as a special session marking the 900th anniversary of Ibn Rushd. Eight awards will be conferred to spur literary and publishing innovation.