DUSHANBE, May 2, Asia-Plus – A group of 55 Tajik intellectuals headed for Iran on Thursday to attend the country''s 21st International Book Fair which, was inaugurated on May 1.

Some 1700 domestic publishers as well as 840 foreign publishing companies are presenting their works at the 10-day exhibition.

The group of Tajik scholars includes a number of Tajik intellectual, academics, authors, journalists and a number of the country''s cultural officials.

In addition to attend the book fair, the Tajik scholars planned to visit Iran''s cultural and historic sites in the ancient city of Isfahan in central Iran and the Khurasan province, northeastern Iran.

They are also to meet with a group of Iran''s cultural officials.

The group''s visit is taking place with the help of Iran''s Embassy in Tajikistan in cooperation with Iran''s Ministry of Education.

The visit would pave the way for further strengthening of Iran-Tajikistan relations, particularly in the cultural and scientific fields, said Iran''s Ambassador to Tajikistan Ali-Asghar Sherdoust addressing the Tajik scholars before their departure for Tehran.