2015 Moscow book fair opens in Russia

Jannati was accompanied by the chairman of the Russian State Duma, Sergei Naryshkin, during the opening ceremony of the event.

“I believe the rich cultures of Iran and Russia and their age-old histories can provide authors with an indefinite source of ideas to write about,” Jannati said during the opening ceremony of the Russian fair on September 2.

He said Iranians have not lost their interest in books despite the growing popularity of the internet and social media networks.

According to Iran’s culture minister, nearly 4,200 active publishers and nearly 50,000 authors are currently active in Iran.

Iran is the guest of honor at the Moscow event this year, and the country’s representatives will introduce the rich art and culture of their homeland during the 4-day fair.

An Iranian cultural delegation, including a number of officials, scholars, writers, artists, cultural figures and publishers, has also arrived in Moscow to take part in the event and meet with their Russian colleagues.

Moscow will also host Tehran’s Cultural Festival on the sidelines of the book fair.
Iranian tar and setar virtuoso Keyvan Saket will perform traditional Persian music during the festival.

Iranian artists will also stage traditional Persian marionette, or “Kheimeh-Shab-Bazi,” which is performed in a small chamber by a musical performer and a person called a morshed (mentor).

Among other programs will be “Naqqali,” an epic narration mostly inspired by 11th-century Persian poet Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh (Book of Kings).

The festival will also exhibit three-dimensional photos introducing Tehran as well as cartoons created by Iranian artists.

/SR