Sharifzadeh: Tehran Book Fair sign of Iran rich culture/Azerbijan situation become more difficult

1402/02/23-11:38

Tehran Book Fair is a sign of the interest of the people and the rich culture of Iran, who are very interested in literature and reading as well as it is a motivation for us to work better and harder to present our works in Iran, Maher Sharifzadeh , the responsible for the Azerbaijan booth at Tehran book fair said.

He also explained that the current political situation in Azerbaijan and the conditions in Iran-Azerbaijan ties have made it impossible for us to hold joint exhibitions like this one.

Following is the text of the interview:

What is your assessment of the 34th Tehran Book Fair?

The fact that the exhibition is held in Iran every year, is a sign of the interest of the people and the rich culture of Iran, who are very interested in literature and reading. Also, this issue is a motivation for us to work better and harder.

Every year, Noor Cultural Foundation is trying to publish and translate new books in the field of religious books in the form of biographies of holy defense martyrs and defenders of holy shrines and religious and political figures. So, it is the first time that we are participating in this exhibition and we are very happy about this matter as we will try to serve Iranians and other nations with more strength next years.

What do you think about copyright exchange? Do you have any plan?

We don't like copyright. It is not fair for a publisher or author to work hard and then we copy his or her works. We try to communicate with these people and get this permission to translate the book with their cooperation and if they are satisfied, and we give them a book as a gift and after checking them, we show it later. We try to write mostly by ourselves so that there is no problem.

What do the exhibitions like Tehran Book Fair can help publishers to expand their business?

It is a very difficult task for publishers to publish and sell their book as well as it needs a lot of efforts and time. But in the exhibition such as this Book Fair, this opportunity will be provided for the publisher to bring his book and sell their works more easily and in larger numbers. Also, they can present them to more people, while it will influence on the amount of sales.

What is the role of book in cultural diplomacy and development of cultural ties between countries?

The book will have a great impact on the cultural relations between countries. Even we have in hadiths that reading is emphasized.

People will get to know the cultures of other nations through books. Today, I saw a book related to the history and collapse of the Ottomans in the booth of Turkey. If I don't see this book in the exhibition, I won't be able to learn about the history, culture and people of this country.

What are the works to offer in Tehran Book Fair?

We have many books here, but the best book in my opinion is the romantic and spiritual book “keep me mind” regarding Martyr Hamid Siahkali Moradi, one of the martyrs who defend the shrine of Sayyidah Zaynab. This book is the biography of this martyr, which has been translated into Azerbaijani language with Latin alphabet.

Does Azerbaijan have any plan to hold these exhibitions which Iran is also present?

Unfortunately, the current political situation in Azerbaijan and the conditions in Iran-Azerbaijan ties have made it impossible for us to hold joint exhibitions like this one.

Martyr Qasem Soleimani and the statements of the Supreme Leader cannot be presented in our country now as the situation has become more difficult.

So, we hope that the relations will return to the previous form so that we can hold this exhibition in Azerbaijan and Iranians can display their books.

The 34th Tehran International Book Fair with the slogan “the future is to be read” started on the 10th of May and will continue until the 20th of May 2023 in the Mosque of Imam Khomeini and simultaneously on ketab.ir.