Supreme Leader visits Tehran Book Fair Tehran Times Culture Desk TEHRAN - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei paid a visit to the 24th Tehran International Book Fair on Wednesday. Ayatollah Khamenei visited several pavilions and held talks with officials, publishers, and organizers of the fair. Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini and the director of the fair, Bahman Dorri, accompanied the Leader, the Supreme Leader’s official website reported on Wednesday. Books are irreplaceable, and the number of books published in Iran has risen over the past few years, but even more books need to be published, the Leader said. Writers have also made diligent efforts but need to develop further, he stated. National development is not possible if the book industry does not develop, he said, adding that the Culture Ministry should focus on the publication of books. Publishers also had the opportunity to talk about their problems. Over 2300 Iranian and 1600 foreign publishers from 67 countries are displaying their products at the fair. The book fair is being held at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla and runs until May 14. Show Less >>