Tehran Int’l Book Fair opens virtual doors to foreign publishers
Registration for foreign publishers to join the seventh Tehran Virtual Book Fair has opened ahead of the nationwide online event scheduled for May 16-23, deputy director of the Tehran International Book Fair Ebrahim Heydari said, as Iran moves to broaden international cultural participation and expand access to foreign-language titles through its flagship digital publishing platform.
Heydari, who also heads Iran Book and Literature House, said licensed foreign publishers, official representatives and distributors can now upload credentials and catalogues to take part in the weeklong fair, which will run under the slogan “Let’s Read for Iran.”
The international section will feature Arabic- and Latin-language publications, with all titles undergoing expert review before entering the online sales platform to ensure authenticity and compliance with the country’s cultural standards, Heydari said.
He described transparency in pricing, cooperation with supervisory bodies and the supply of original editions as key conditions for participation this year, signaling tighter oversight as the event scales up its international footprint.
The fair will offer layered discounts aimed at boosting readership and cross-border publishing exchange. Books published in 2025 and 2026 will be sold with a combined 20% reduction, including publisher discounts and subsidies from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Older titles will receive steeper markdowns.
Organizers have also extended the registration deadline for domestic publishers to May 9 following requests from industry participants seeking more time to complete applications. Iranian publishers are now permitted to offer books released from 2021 onward, a revision that significantly widens the eligible catalogue.