IRNA � The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance told reporters on Tuesday that participation of 300 international publishers in Tehran Book Fair is a turning point.

Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony held for the 30th Tehran International Book Fair, Reza Salehi Amiri said that about 3000 national and 300 international publishers are presenting their products in an area of about 135 square kilometers.

�This shows a booming cultural event as compared to four years earlier,� Salehi Amiri said.

Tehran International Book Fair is staged in Tehran in early May on an annual basis. The cultural event has turned into a landmark, momentous book fair in the Middle East and Asia after several editions in a row.

Millions of visitors inspect the fair every year, including thousands of university students, scholars and their families.

The event currently serves as the most significant cultural event in Iran.

The fair will host visitors on May 3-13, from 10 am to 8:30 pm.