The declining presence of foreign publishers at the Tehran International Book Fair

The Tehran International Book Fair has been one of the largest cultural events in Iran and the Middle East and every year hosts domestic and foreign publishers and authors. So far 36 editions of the Tehran Book Fair (and two editions virtually because of COVID) have been held, and the latest edition of this event, that is the thirty-sixth Tehran International Book Fair, was held in the period from 17 to 27 Ordibehesht (April–May) 1404 (2025/26) at Imam Khomeini Mosalla.

This note addresses a data-driven and statistical analysis of the presence of foreign publishers at this fair over the past decade. Examining the trends, patterns, and effects of the presence of foreign publishers on Iran's publishing industry are important issues that must be attended to for progress in the book field. To collect the data, various sources have been used, including the official website of the Tehran Book Fair, annual reports, reputable news agencies, and existing statistical analyses.

The trend of foreign publishers' presence at the Tehran Book Fair

The number of foreign publishers present at the Tehran Book Fair in the years 1395 to 1404 (2016–2026) is presented in Chart 2. On this basis, the presence of foreign publishers at the Tehran Book Fair from 1395 to 1398 (2016–2020) had an upward slope and went from 130 to 800 foreign publishers, and from 1398 to 1404 (2019–2026) had a downward slope and went from 800 foreign publishers to 53 foreign publishers. The main factor in the drop in the number of foreign publishers from 1398 (2019/20) to 1399 (2020/21) related to the outbreak of the coronavirus and the in-person fair not being held in Ordibehesht 1399 (2020/21) and its being held virtually in Bahman (January–February) 1399 (2020/21).

The ratio of foreign publishers to domestic publishers

Charts 3 and 4 respectively show the number and the ratio of domestic and foreign publishers present at the Tehran Book Fair over the years 1395 to 1404 (2016–2026). On this basis, the ratio of the number of foreign publishers to domestic publishers at the Tehran Book Fair from 1395 to 1398 (2016–2020) had an upward slope and went from 6.9 percent to 38.1 percent, and from 1398 to 1404 (2019–2026) had a downward slope and went from 38.1 percent to 2.2 percent.

Geographic distribution of foreign publishers

Every cultural event has its own dimensions and coordinates. The Tehran International Book Fair too, in various editions, has been able to attract the interest of some countries and foreign publishers for this event; of course this extent has declined in recent editions and especially after the coronavirus pandemic. In Chart 5, explanations are presented regarding the geographic distribution of foreign publishers present at the Tehran Book Fair from 1395 to 1404 (2016–2026).

Foreign publishers present at the fair are usually classified in two categories, Arab countries and non-Arab or Latin countries. Coherent statistics and information on this matter do not exist, but on the basis of existing statistics one can say that in some editions the share of Arab countries, and in some editions the share of non-Arab and Latin countries, among the fair's foreign publishers has been greater. The geographic distribution of foreign publishers present at the Tehran fair can be a sign of the country's cultural diplomacy and of the interest of other countries and foreign publishers in being present at this fair.

Economic effects of the presence of foreign publishers at the book fair

The presence of foreign publishers can have a positive effect on Iran's publishing market. With an increase in the number of publishers, greater competition is created, and this will lead to an improvement in the quality of books. The presence of foreign publishers helps increase cultural and commercial exchanges between Iran and other countries. Also, international fairs such as the Tehran Book Fair can lay the ground for attracting foreign investment and creating joint projects and new investments.

The creation of new job opportunities in the book publishing and distribution industry (such as increased demand for translators, editors, and sales staff) and the raising of the level of knowledge and culture of society are among the other results of attracting foreign publishers to take part in the Tehran Book Fair.

Final word

This note has been prepared with the aim of presenting a statistical look at the presence and performance of foreign publishers at the Tehran International Book Fair over the past decade. Existing statistics show that the presence of foreign publishers at the Tehran Book Fair from 1395 to 1398 (2016–2020) had an upward slope and from 1398 to 1404 (2019–2026) had a downward slope.

The main factor in the drop in the number of foreign publishers from 1398 (2019/20) onward related to the outbreak of the coronavirus and the in-person fair not being held in Ordibehesht 1399 (2020/21) and its being held virtually in Bahman 1399 (2020/21). In 1395 (2016/17), 130 foreign publishers were present at the book fair, and in 1404 (2025/26), with 53 foreign publishers, we have still not been able to reach the figure of 1395 (2016/17).

The presence of foreign publishers at the Tehran Book Fair not only helps the cultural richness of the fair, but will also bring positive economic effects. Given these points, it can be concluded that the Tehran Book Fair, with correct support and planning, can become an important communication bridge between domestic and foreign publishers and an effective cultural exchange. Overall, the presence of foreign publishers at the Tehran Book Fair not only helps economic growth, but also makes a considerable contribution to cultural exchange and to raising the quality level of publishing in Iran.