During the three-hour visit on Sunday after three years of coronavirus restrictions, Ayatollah Khamenei toured various sections of the exhibition and spoke with publishers and visitors.
Speaking to IRIB after the visit, the Leader praised the rising publication of books inside the country despite some challenges and called for the removal of obstacles in this regard.
The Leader said books have always held a “high status” in Iran, and highlighted the importance of books in cultural development, despite the pervasiveness of digital media.
“Promoting culture in the country requires books, and despite the expansion of virtual spaces, books still hold their high status,” Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
The Leader added that he had a strong passion for books and that he has always encouraged the Iranians, particularly the youth, to read books to enrich their lives.
Ayatollah Khamenei also called for publishing more books for children and teenagers based on Iranian culture.
The Tehran International Book Fair was held for the first time in 1987. The 34th edition of the exhibition opened in Tehran on May 10 with publishers from Iran and 40 foreign countries in attendance.