Iran Ranks 1st In Region In Terms Of Book Publishing

Tabriz, E.Azarbaijan, Sept 30, IRNA – Iran ranks first in the region and 11th in the world in terms of the number of book titles so far published in the country, said the deputy minister of culture and Islamic guidance Sunday. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Tabriz International Book Fair, Ali Esmaeili added that 821,000 titles of books have so far been published in the country, 480,000 of which have been released in the past eight years. He further pointed out that culture includes economic and ethical issues and cultural development will bring about development in other fields. Hailing the Iranian culture with a strong Islamic and Iranian foundation, he said that per capita book reading should be raised in the country, as books should be turned into a permanent need of the society. Book fairs are held in the country as part of the programs aimed at creating equal opportunities for audience to gain access to books and promote the culture of book reading in the country, Esmaeili said. Tabriz International Book Fair opened Sunday and will continue until October 5./end