The Baghdad International Book Fair opened in the Iraqi capital to 120 publishers from 12 countries.
This is the third international exhibition in Baghdad and Lebanon, Syria, England, Germany, the United States, India, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Yemen, and Iran are participating.
It is one of the most expensive cultural events in the region. Each pavilion is charged $90 per sq. meter; the Iranian booth has an area of 120 sq. meters where eight publishers are presenting their books on theology, politics, social studies, economy, arts and Iran studies.
Iranian publisher Mohammad-Kazem Kermani who has participated in 10 exhibitions since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, is offering 300 books, most of which are on Arabic literature.
He considers Lebanese publishers formidable as book prices are lower in Beirut than Tehran. He stressed that Iranian publishing and cultural centers “must venture into regional book markets, Iraq in particular.”
Sattari another publisher is offering educational and scientific books in English to his customers who are mostly university students and teachers, as well as researchers. He deemed that books on teaching English, engineering, and medicine will be in higher demand among the 1,000 titles he is introducing.
“We don’t expect a profitable market this year as the host country is struggling with financial constraints after the Islamic State (IS) attacks in the past year.”
The exhibition is a secure and lucrative market for Iranians since “regional nations cannot match the scientific and educational standards set by Iranian publications; while European and Western countries – who could be potential competitors once a regional peace is secured – cannot offer books at the same reasonable prices as Iran does”.
The fair welcomes bibliophiles till April 26.
Over 100 Titles
Iran also has a remarkable presence in the 27th International Sarajevo Book Fair.
Every April, Sarajevo becomes a top attraction for writers and publishers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and other foreign countries, thanks to the international literary manifestation which started back in 1988.
Iran’s cultural attaché office in Sarajevo is attending the fair with over 100 titles, translated to Bosnian language. The books cover a wide range of subjects including Islamic and Qur’anic studies, Iranology, Persian literature, and children’s books.
In an effort to introduce the rich Persian culture and civilization, Iran’s stall, besides the book titles, offers handicrafts, maps, films, and brochures to visitors.
A total of 160 exhibitors are presenting over 150,000 titles in different fields of science, art, education, and literature. The foreign participants include Germany, France, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, the US, and the UK among others.
Following last year’s visit by 50,000 people, the fair is expected to attract more book fans this year. The 27th edition (April 22 -27) is underway in the capital Sarajevo.
