Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Mehdi Bahrololum, head of the ministry’s Quran and Etrat Center, said the number shows asignifciant increase compared to previous years.
He noted that the western city of Hamedan will host the 24th edition of the festival.
Bahrololum added that its competitions will be held in more than 40 categories, Fars reported.
Arts and literary categories have been included in this year’s festival, he went on to say.