TEHRAN -- A version of the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), the celebrated work of the epic Persian poet Ferdowsi, is the most expensive book on offer at the 26th Tehran International Book Fair.
The book is on sale at a price of 16,500,000 rials (over $460), the Persian service of ISNA reported on Sunday.
Published by Yassavoli, the version has been written in nastaliq calligraphy by Ali Sajjadi and 50 miniature paintings drawn by some Safavid era artists illustrate the story of the book.
The book has also been embellished with illuminations by Alireza Aqamiri, one of the few living masters of this Persian art form. In addition, the leather covering of the book has been decorated with gold blocking.
An edition of the Holy Quran written in Reyhan calligraphy by Bahram Saleki is the second most expensive offered at the book fair.
The book has been offered at 15,000,000 rials (over $420). However, there is a 20 percent discount on this book.
An edition of the Divan of Hafez at price of 12,000,000 (over $330) and an edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam at price of 11,500,000 (over $320) are the third and fourth most expensive books at the book fair.
There has been a sharp rise in paper and printing prices in Iran over the past two years. Thus, the high prices at which these publications are being offered reflect the extreme cost increases.
Due to the problems many Iranians face with their family budgets nowadays, they are not able to afford the high prices for the publications.
An Iranian writer has said that high cost of living and the unstable economic conditions has caused a drop in the number of visitors to the book fair and as well as in the amount of their shopping at the cultural event.
“I have visited the book fair several times,” Mohammadreza Bairami told the Persian service of MNA on Sunday.
“The number of people visiting the book fair is not comparable with the figures for the previous editions of the event. The people come and leave without shopping,” he added.
Organizers announced on Sunday that over one million people have visited the book fair since May 1, when the fair opened to public.
“In these conditions, in which the people must spend virtually all of their income just to stay alive, of course it is pointless to be concerned about their interest in reading books. In the current situation, it is ridiculous if we want to pretend that people are bibliophiles,” Bairami stated.
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