TEHRAN – A book release ceremony was held at the stands of the Mexican Embassy in Iran at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) on Thursday. There, the book “Tehran Luva Tilde” was presented in the presence of Iran’s Mexican ambassador, Guillermo Puente Ordalica.
The book’s title is translated to “Tehran Has Tilde,” where Tilde means an accent mark placed over several letters in Spanish. “This is a collection of chronicles written by eight Latin American and Iranian writers, showing us our perspectives and experiences in Tehran,” the ambassador said.
“The book comes from a series of storytelling workshops held at the embassy last year: a unique collaboration between the Mexican embassy and the Iranian publisher negative,” he added.
In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Guellermo Puente Ordorica described the cultural activities of the Mexican Embassy in Iran.
How many times have you attended the Tehran International Book Fair?
This is the fifth consecutive time you will be attending the fair. Mexico has been consistently attending the event for the past five years, providing Mexican literature to Iranian readers and to nationals interested in our culture.
This year we dedicated ourselves to influential Mexican author Rosario Castellanos and Emiliano Zapata, a key figure in the Mexican revolution. Castellanos is celebrated for her literary contributions, while Zapatta represents Mexico’s innovative ideals and social change. His legacy is famous even in Iran, and represents the first major social revolution of the 20th century.
Rosario Castellanos Figueroa (1925-1974) was a Mexican poet and author. She was one of Mexico’s most important literary voices in the last century. Throughout her life she wrote eloquently about the issues of cultural and gender oppression, and her work has influenced Mexican feminist theory and cultural studies. Although she passed away young, she opened the doors of Mexican literature to women, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates today.
Emiliano Zapatta (1879-1919) was a Mexican revolutionary. He was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920, a leading leader in the people’s revolution in Morelos, Mexico, and an inspiration for the agricultural movement known as Zapatismo.
Zapata is a Mexican icon, and is used as a symbol of nationalism and the Neo-Zapatista movement.
How does it compare to the Tehran International Book Fair and the Mexican Book Fair?
There are many differences, but the essence is the same. It’s about promoting literature and attracting people to reading. One of the challenges I observe at Tehran fairs is its international scope and is limited for reasons beyond the control of the organizers. Mexico has a strong international presence, with more international writers and publishers present. However, the presence of young readers at Tehran’s fairs is very exciting and resembles what we saw in Mexico.
Do you think Book Fair can promote reading in a technology-dominated world?
Book fairs are extremely important as a moment of gathering, celebrating literature and interacting with both classic and contemporary writers. They should not compete with technology, but rather be seen as complementary. Fairs can show young people the value of traditional books while also accepting electronic tools as a supplementary resource. The key is to encourage more people to read, regardless of the medium.
How familiar are Mexicans to Persian culture, literature, poetry and authors?
Iranian literature, history and culture are gaining interest among Mexican readers and the general public, among the general public. However, there is still much work to expand the scope of Mexican Persian literature. It’s a challenge we’re working on, and we can see progress, but there’s always something to do. Similarly, I would like to see more Iranians interested in Mexican literature.
What has been done so far with regard to the translation of Persian works into Spanish or Spanish works?
We have made significant advances in this area. Last year, for the first time in history, Feldouzi’s grand masterpiece, Shaffname (the King’s Book), was one of the greatest works of Persian literature and was translated into Spanish. It consists of over 60,000 verses published in seven volumes and was translated by Dr. Beatriz Salas, a prestigious scholar who dedicated her life to the project. The Mexican Embassy supported and promoted the initiative, ensuring availability at major libraries, universities and cultural centres in Mexico.
Are there Persian courses in Mexico, just as Spanish is taught here in Iran?
Unfortunately, Persian is not widely taught in Mexico except for specialized academic institutions focusing on Middle Eastern research. I believe this is a potential growth field and am open to working with colleagues in Iran to promote Mexican Persian language courses.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes, I would like to mention upcoming events. In the near future, he will hold a photo exhibition in Tehran, showing the work of the late Mexican photographer who captured the ethnic and cultural diversity of Mexico.
One of the largest cultural events in West Asia, the 36th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF), was held at Imam Khomeinimosala, Tehran from May 7th to 17th.
This year’s event was based on the theme of “Let’s Read for Iran,” highlighting the country’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading and intellectual engagement. Iraq was a special guest on this edition of the fair and attended an event with 15 publishers.
More than 2,600 Iranian publishers attend the fair. Additionally, 50 applicants from other countries have registered. Their books will be exhibited primarily in the Arabic and Latin sections of exhibitions published between 2023 and 2025.
Foreign publishers have come from countries such as Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Brazil, China, Egypt, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Syria, and Turkey.
Since its founding in 1988, TIBF has grown significantly, captivating millions of visitors each year, including students, academics and families.
In addition to its vast book display, TIBF 2025 introduces the Tehran Literary Fellowship Program, a new initiative aimed at strengthening literary exchanges and promoting Iranian literature on a global scale.
As one of the most anticipated events on Iranian cultural calendar, the Tehran International Book Fair continues to be a platform for literary discoveries and intercultural dialogue.
Photo: Mexican ambassador (C) of Iran Guillermo Puente Ordricá and author of “Tehran Ruleva Tilde” will reveal the book at the stands of the Mexican Embassy in Iran on May 15, 2025 at the 36th Tehran International Book Fair.
SS/SAB