Fars Nomadic Reading Camp to Be Held / Efforts to Achieve Cultural Justice in Deprived Areas

According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Shiraz, Mohammad Hossein Firoozi, Director General of Public Libraries of Fars Province, stated on Sunday afternoon at a press conference for the Fars Nomadic Community Reading Projects, held with the presence of directors from public libraries, nomadic education, social affairs of the governorate, nomadic Basij, and nomadic affairs of Fars Province, at the Raisi Ardakani Public Library’s librarian hall, with reference to the beginning of the 33rd Book Week on November 15th: In the past three years, Fars Province, thanks to creative projects, has been a pioneer in this field, and in the past three years, the General Directorate of Public Libraries of the province has planned nomadic reading camps and has succeeded in being a pioneer in this area with the help of various organizations.

Firoozi pointed to cultural accessibility to educational content through these projects and added: Nomadic reading camps are held with a family focus in various regions of the province, and these camps are not only for students. More than 20 executive bodies participate in these camps, while this one-day cultural event becomes a focal point for solving local problems in the area where the camp is held.

Reading Camp Brought Cultural Services to Black Tents

The Director General of Public Libraries of Fars, referring to the fact that the reading camp has managed to bring cultural services to black tents, announced the implementation of the first nomadic reading camp this year in the first decade of Azar (early December) in the "Bikh and Bangal" region of Darab.

Firoozi considered the implementation of the "Water and Book" project as a step towards helping cultural justice in deprived areas and said: This project helps to bring publications and books to nomadic areas by water delivery vehicles, and its second phase will be implemented by 55 vehicles in 22 cities.

He announced that the "Book Ambassador 2" event will be held with the help of the General Directorate of Nomadic Education of Fars Province, stating: We are trying, with the help of 40 ambassadors and educational guides, to deliver books and publications to 530 nomadic schools in the province.

Firoozi explained that new resources and books are provided to students through this project, adding: This cycle continues continuously until the end of the academic year, and more than 200 personnel from the General Directorate assist in this cycle to deepen reading among Fars nomads.

The Director General of Public Libraries of Fars Province considered holding the Nomadic Students’ Reading Festival to evaluate the performance of these projects and said: This festival, in addition to assessing the project, targets students as pioneers of reading among nomads.

He announced the holding of the closing ceremony of this festival in May and added: In the "White Hoopoe Express" project, three thousand volumes of express packets will be distributed among students in the first phase.

Cultural and Social Services Are Fitting for Nomads

Mohammad Hassan Mousavi, Director General of the Office of Social Affairs of Fars Governorate, also referred to the philosophy of justice in today’s societies at the beginning of this meeting and said: Through this, we can provide social services to all segments of society. One of these services is the aid that is befitting the nomadic community.

According to him, books in the nomadic society were not quickly profitable at first glance, but the act itself is noble and worthy. Given that Fars has the largest nomadic community in the country, this social investment is necessary.

The Director General of the Office of Social Affairs of Fars Governorate emphasized that books are the axis of social outlook and rational thoughts, stating: We request that this action continue.

Abdolhamid Karimi, Director General of Nomadic Affairs of Fars, also mentioned in this meeting that the origin of the literacy movement in Fars Province was due to Mohammad Bahman Beigi, the father of nomadic education in Iran, and said: Fars nomads are a rainbow of ethnicities in the country in terms of ethnicity and language, so we have tried to provide appropriate cultural services away from ethnic divisions and in coordination with relevant institutions.

Referring to the implementation of the "Water and Book" project, which started for the first time in the country in Fars Province, he announced: This project was first implemented in the nomadic areas of Jahrom, and we hope these projects will be effective in promoting the cultural level of the nomadic community.

Fars Nomads Are Oppressed Yet Powerful

Seyed Mohammad Shokouhi, Commander of the Basij Corps of Fars Nomads, also stated that there is unparalleled interaction and coordination among the managers of this segment of the nomadic community, announcing: The nomadic community of Fars Province is oppressed yet powerful, and we demand the rights of the nomadic community. The Nomadic Basij, in addition to common reading campaigns, has a separate campaign named "Khat-e Amin" which will start from Basij Week.

The Commander of the Basij Corps of Fars Nomads reminded that the Fars nomadic community has a long history in reading, adding: Two things have a long history in the nomadic community; listening to the radio and reading are popular.

Shokouhi mentioned the role of Basij resistance bases in nomadic reading and said: From December 21st, a reading camp will be held in one of the regions.

Meysam Rezazadeh Chegini, Director General of Nomadic Education of Fars Province, also stated in this meeting that the main goal of this organization is to achieve educational justice and said: The approach and perspective of public libraries in this area are commendable, so our organization welcomed this initiative.

He announced one of these actions as the permanent establishment of libraries in boarding schools and added: The Book Ambassador project is a valuable event that has fortunately been successful. Also, the Water and Book project, which occurs in cooperation with nomadic affairs, has helped to increase reading among Fars nomads.