The five-day book fair, which kicked off on September 25, has attracted hundreds of publishers from Kenya and several foreign countries, including Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and India. The event is being held at the Sarit Centre, one of the largest shopping malls in Nairobi, covering an area of over 1,500 square meters.

Representing the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Iran’s Cultural Attaché to Kenya Ghorban-Ali Pourmarjan has set up a stand at the fair, showcasing over 300 titles of books in various fields, such as literature, religion, art, tourism, and children’s books. The stand is providing information on the Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF), the publishing industry in Iran, and the country’s translation and publication plans.

In his opening remarks, Iranian Ambassador to Kenya, Ali Gholampour, emphasized the importance of books in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. “Books are the foundation of a nation’s culture and a symbol of its civilization,” he said. “Reading books increases concentration, awareness, and critical thinking in society, and it is the primary link between a nation’s history and its people.”

Gholampour noted that despite economic pressures, many governments support their publishing industries, and Iran is no exception. “Iran has a thriving publishing industry, with over 8,000 publishers and an annual production of 70,000 book titles,” he said. “We recently held the 35th Tehran International Book Fair, which attracted over 3,000 domestic publishers and hundreds of foreign participants, with over 5 million visitors and sales of over $5 million.”

The ambassador expressed hope that the Nairobi Book Fair would be a catalyst for cooperation between Iranian and Kenyan publishers, particularly in the areas of children’s literature, fiction, poetry, and technology. He also announced that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the Tehran and Nairobi book fairs, aimed at promoting cooperation and exchange between publishers, authors, and illustrators from both countries.

Gholampour also highlighted the potential for cultural exchange between Iran and Kenya, saying that the Iranian market is eager to receive books on literature, culture, history, and other subjects from Kenya, both in print and digital formats.

He invited Kenyan writers and publishers to participate in Iran’s Top and Grant schemes, which support the publication of hundreds of titles abroad each year.

The envoy concluded by emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange in promoting understanding and cooperation between nations. “The persistence and continuity of relations between nations depend on their familiarity with each other’s culture and social norms, which can be achieved through books, films, illustrations, and art,” he said.