Intl. book fairs help promote Persian literature: Canadian author

TEHRAN, Sept.11(MNA) -- Canadian publisher and author Patricia Aldana, who paid a recent visit to Iran, is convinced that international book fairs are the best locations to introduce Persian books and help promote Persian literature.

Iran needs to participate actively in large book fairs like Frankfurt or Bologna, she told on Saturday.

The founder of the prominent Canadian children’s publishing company Groundwood Books, Aldana arrived in Tehran on September 2. She had been invited by the Children’s Book Council of Iran (CBCI).

Aldana said that publishers need to meet and exchange views, adding, “Books are more readily noticed at international events. There, they can be introduced to a broader audience and, as a result, can find their way into the world market.”

Foreign publishers are also able to spot books at multinational book fairs, she added.

She also said that in her opinion, Persian literature for children and young adults has developed more over the past few years but the point is that Iran’s book market cannot compete with the international ones.

The author offered that concepts presented within books can also act as bargaining chips for Iranian writers.