TEHRAN (Press TV) -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday visited the 26th International Book Fair held at Tehran's Grand Prayer Grounds.

The Leader visited various pavilions and talked with publishers of the 10-day exhibition this morning, May 4, 2013.

Iranian minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Muhammad Husseini along with several other officials accompanied the Leader.

Some 2,545 Iranian and 1,600 international publishers have participated in this year’s book exhibition.

Foreign publishers have flocked to the fair from 77 world countries such as Germany, India, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Lebanon and United States.

Tehran International Book Fair is annually held as a social and cultural phenomenon with book displays, panel discussions and publishing deals.

The fair is considered the most significant event of its kind in Asia and the Middle East and a significant venue for publishers and book lovers to exchange opinions and experiences.

The 26th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF) kicked off on May 1 and will run until May 11, 2013.