Printer-friendly VersionThe Kurdish Globe
Iran opened a large Iranian book fair in Erbil city, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, in an attempt to expand cultural and economic ties with Iraqi Kurdistan.
Some 15,000 books in various subjects such as politics, philosophy, religion, and science by famous Iranian authors such as the works of Iranian scholar and university lecturer Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari were put on display.
"Iran is very rich in terms of culture, arts and civilization," said governor of Erbil Nawzad Hadi during the opening ceremony.
Historically, Iran and Kurdistan have had good political relations. Many times Iran opened its doors to thousands of Kurdish refugees as they were under the attack by Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein.
Moreover, culturally and linguistically, Kurds and Persians are very close to each other.
"The Iranian culture is one of the richest in the world. I can say if you take the Iranian culture out of the world civilizations, you have taken an important part of world's history," former Kurdistan Region culture minister Falakadin Kakaye told Iranian English language Press TV.
"Indeed one of the things I am proud of is that I went to Iran and learned the Persian language, which opened a rich cultural gate for me to read the writings of poets like Hafiz Shirazi and Mowlavi," Kakaye added.
This Iranian cultural contribution, which is part of a larger political and economic relationship, seems well received by the Kurds in the safest region of Iraq.
The exhibit, which opened on February 15, was attended by top Kurdish officials and community.