Leader Visits Tehran Book Fair

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday visited the 32nd Tehran International Book Fair that is underway at Imam Khomeini Mosalla (prayer ground) in central Tehran until May 4. 
Accompanied by Culture Minister Abbas Salehi, he visited the pavilions for two and a half hours and was briefed by publishers about the latest developments in the publishing industry, his website reported. 
During the visit, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to problems facing publishers in procuring paper due to inadequate supplies and instructed the culture minister and other officials to work out solutions to resolve the issue. 
The Leader has always emphasized the importance of developing the habit of reading, especially among young children. He has also tasked relevant officials to improve book production by encouraging writers as well as supporting the translation and revival of old and classic works of literature. 
"If we can foster a culture of book reading and increase our publications at the same time, we have fulfilled a major part of the Islamic Republic's cultural responsibilities," he said during one such visit to a past edition of the fair. 
The event, whose current edition is themed "Reading Is Empowerment", officially opened on April 24. It features 3,200 foreign and domestic publishers who are showcasing their latest products. 
About 2,400 domestic publishers are attending the exhibition with 437,000 books and some 800 foreign publishers from 30 countries are displaying 137,000 titles. 
As the special guest of the fair, China is attending with a delegation of about 200 cultural figures and officials as well as 100 publishers, writers, translators and illustrators.