(April 28, 2017) Eternal, universal, distributed with balance over the centuries, in the variety of man-made arts and in the wonder of landscapes drawn by nature: a timeless beauty. This will be the guiding principle of Italy’s participation as guest of Honor Country at the International Book Fair in Tehran, scheduled from May 3 to 13 in the Iranian capital. A symbol of high symbolic value – Italy is the first western country to be invited as a Guest of Honor, after Oman and Russia – and of significant cultural, political, commercial and industrial values. The Italian participation – made possible by the collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, the Italian Embassy in Tehran, Italtrade – Agency for Promotion Abroad and Internationalization of Italian Businesses, the Book and Reading Center, in agreement with the Italian Association of Publishers – is strongly advocated by the Italian Government for the possibilities of opening up the dialogue which it will offer to the two countries: publishing and culture is entrusted with the task of becoming a pioneer in establishing new relationships and partnership. For Italy this is a very important opportunity to develop and strengthen the relationship with Iran. Organized at Shahr-e Aftab (the modern exhibition venue that hosts it since 2016), the Teheran Book Fair hosts about three million visitors on its eleven days on an area of 125,000 square meters. And in 2017 it will reach an important historical goal: in fact, it will be the thirtieth edition. Italy will attend the Fair with a 300-square-foot pavilion, where an exhibition area for books and a reserved place for publishers and professionals will be available. Visitors will be able to visit the bookshop area for the sale of Italian / English/Farsi books to stop in the meeting space. A business area will be reserved for the meeting between publishers and professionals. The bookstore – in addition to the books of the attending authors – will propose a selection of the essential titles of Italian literature alongside contemporary literature, art publishing, illustrations, essay, literature for children. About a hundred titles are expected between works in the original language and in English translation, with particular attention to the presence of the books of the invited authors. Timeless beauty will also be revealed through a selection of illustrations from the 2017 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrations Exhibition. (Red)
