The display reflects Tehran’s efforts to expand international rights trading and cultural exports as regional publishing hubs compete for visibility and deal-making opportunities. Istanbul has positioned itself as Turkey’s primary marketplace for international publishing exchange, despite the growth of smaller fairs elsewhere in the country.

Iran’s stand in the fair’s international section features classical and contemporary literature, poetry, Iranology, children’s and young adult's books, art and illustration, and titles on culture and civilization, alongside a selection of translated works. The program also highlights Iran’s publishing platform, literary agency services and illustration representation, aimed at fostering co-publishing projects, rights exchanges and bilateral partnerships.

The fair’s international segment, running from Dec. 13 to 16, is designed as a four-day professional forum for rights negotiations, catalogue presentations and targeted meetings among publishers and cultural institutions from multiple markets.

Iran's Book and Literature House says its agenda includes promoting Iran’s publishing capacity, presenting its national translation grant scheme, showcasing Iranian illustration and holding talks with Turkish publishers and cultural officials to advance joint projects and rights transfers.

This year’s fair introduces an illustration wall for the first time, a dedicated showcase that has attracted sustained interest from editors and illustrators, particularly in children’s and art publishing. Organizers say the addition reflects a broader industry shift toward visual storytelling and cross-format licensing.

The Istanbul International Book Fair hosts publishers and institutions from 14 countries and is accompanied by panels, workshops and book launches. Organizers report more than 1,015 participants and approximately 510,000 visitors this year, reinforcing the fair’s status as Turkey’s leading publishing event.

Covering nearly 14,000 square meters, the fair remains the country’s largest platform for cultural exchange and publishing commerce.