Tehran, May 5, IRNA - Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said the Tehran book fair plays a pivotal role in boosting the public culture of Iranian society.

Jannati made the remarks in the opening ceremony of the 28th Tehran International Book Fair.

He underscored that the exhibition is considered as the major cultural event in Iran.

'A large number of Iranian and foreign publishers are participating in the event,' he said, adding the number of the presented books show a 20-percent increase compared to the last year exhibition.

President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated the 28th Tehran International Book Fair in Tehran on Tuesday morning.

The annual book event which enjoys an international prestige will be open to public visit as of tomorrow.

The 28th Tehran International Book Fair with the motto �Reading, Conversing with the World� will be held on May 6-16 at Imam Khomeini (RA) Prayer Ground in Tehran with the participation of 65 countries.

By IRNA