Iran and Russia have agreed on a reciprocal program for translation of literary works.
In a series of sessions held in Tehran between the Russian Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communication and cultural officials from Iran, the two sides reached a number of agreements that will lead to expansion of interaction in the area of literary translations of major works from both countries.
The two sides agreed to select articles from the Encyclopedia of Orthodox Christianity for translation into Persian and from the Encyclopedia of Islam, into Russian, ISNA reported.
Additionally, two books from among Iranian poetry and prose are to be translated into Russian and unveiled at the Moscow International Book Fair 2017. Likewise, a collection of works by Russian authors will be translated to Persian and unveiled at the next edition of the Tehran International Book Fair.
In a letter to Seyyed Abbas Salehi, cultural deputy at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Russian agency said it was ready to send Russian publishers of the Encyclopedia of Orthodox Christianity to Iran and receive Iranian representatives in Russia to work out the modalities for the translation project.
“We are also ready to submit works of poetry and prose of Russian authors for Persian translation,” the letter said and urged the Iranian side to give a list of the publishers that would be involved in the project.
The 29th Tehran International Book Fair 2016 was held on May 4-14, and Russia participated in the event as guest of honor.
President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for cultural affairs Mikhail Shvydkoy attended the opening ceremony of the book fair. During his visit, Shvydkoy met with Abbas Salehi, Mohammad Farhadi, minister of science, research and technology, Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri, director of the National Library and Archives of Iran, who is also cultural advisor to President Hassan Rouhani and Abouzar Ebrahimi Torkaman, chairman of the Organization for Islamic Culture and Relations.
