The first edition of International Eurasia Book Festival opened on Saturday in Istanbul, bringing together many national and foreign publishing houses.

The festival is supported by Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Ministry of National Education, Turkish state broadcaster TRT and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking at the fair, Emrah Kısakürek, chairman of an Istanbul-based press association, said over 200 foreign publishing houses from 70 countries will participate in the event. It will include poetry recitations, autograph sessions and conferences. The nine-day fair will host more than 100 writers, Kısakürek noted. Additionally, Rıdvan Duran, head of the technical affairs department of the Istanbul Municipality, said that each book is a product of knowledge and experience.

The fair is being held under the theme A Long Story, and will end on March 3.