The Egyptian pavilion has been shut down at the Tehran International Book Festival (TIBF) for offering The Arabian Gulf Encyclopedia, the Tehran Times reports. After all, it’s a book “promoting the false, misleading and recently-concocted name of Arabian gulf in place of the correct, long-established and historically-documented name of Persian Gulf.”
Says TIBF international section director Mohammadreza Vasfi:
Arabian publishing companies are unaware of our sensitivities on this issue, so we face similar problems every year during the TIBF.
Well. You’d think they’d get a clue.
Apparently, the Italian pavilion was also shut down. In fact, they didn’t even show up, “due to their indiscipline.”
Says Vasfi:
Due to their indiscipline, Italian publishing companies are not interesting enough to be invited to international book fairs, including the TIBF.
Thanks to The Complete Review for digging this up.
I couldn’t believe this when I read about it in the news! Why shut down the whole Egyptian pavilion? Why not just remove the offending book, charge a fine if need be. But removing everything?! No fun.
But Bernie, that wouldn’t send the proper message, which is apparently, Either play our way or don’t play at all!