TEHRAN – The 31st Tehran International Book Fair, which opened on May 2 at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla, closed on Saturday.

Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri attended the closing ceremony, during which a number of publishers were honored for their strong performances at the event.

In his brief remarks at the ceremony, Jahangiri called books basic necessities of life and said, “The government has begun an open policy in the book arena and believes even the opposing sides must have a space to be active.”

Over 2500 Iranian publishers showcased their latest offerings in various sections of the event.

Publishers from over 50 countries, including Germany, China, Hungary, Austria, Russia and Iraq took part in the fair.

Serbia was the special guest of the 31st Tehran International Book Fair and hosted a group of Serbian writers along with artists and cultural officials.

In addition, Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, was the guest city of the fair. A number of cultural officials, publishers and writers from the city attended the fair.

Photo: A woman and her child visit the 31st Tehran International Book Fair on May 8, 2018. (Mehr/Maryam Kamyab)

RM/MMS/YAW