Explanation of the programs for the 33rd Book Week in Kermanshah
Mozzafar Teimouri, in an interview with the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Kermanshah, announced extensive planning for the commemoration of Book Week in the province and stated: “This year, with the formation of a special policymaking council for Book Week, diverse programs aimed at promoting reading culture will be implemented in the cities of Kermanshah province.”
He continued by stating that the symbolic ceremony of ringing the Book Week bell will be held simultaneously in fourteen cities of Kermanshah province with the presence of provincial and local officials. He added: “Various programs, including a ceremony honoring publishing servants, a ‘Useful Reading’ educational workshop, and a ‘Marketing in the Publishing Industry’ workshop focusing on the economy of culture and art for printing and publishing industry activists, as well as a ‘Writing and Poetry’ training workshop, will be held.”
The Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kermanshah further announced the holding of various meetings during this period of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Book Week and added: “Village Poetry Evenings programs for rural and nomadic areas of the province, a session on ‘Examining the Poetic Thoughts of Master Mohammad Javad Mohabbat with an Introduction to the Works of this Talented Poet’, and a session on ‘Hafez Studies and Interpretation of Hafez’s Sonnets’ for members of the province’s literary associations are among the programs we have foreseen for this period of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Book Week.”
Teimouri clarified: “Donating books to school libraries, universities, cultural centers, and rural libraries, a book and reading festival specifically for members of the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, a special reading program in 30 mosque cultural and artistic centers, and a ceremony honoring the winners of the poetry recitation call from the works of Master Mohammad Javad Mohabbat are among Kermanshah province’s other programs for the 33rd Book Week.”
Referring to the public-oriented approach of this Book Week’s programs, he continued: “Alongside visiting the esteemed families of martyrs and literary veterans, programs such as visiting bookstores, donating books to rural libraries, and distributing free books at the Friday prayer hall will be held.”
The Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kermanshah province, referring to the programs prepared specifically for children and teenagers, noted: “Storytelling, book-centered counseling, and book festivals will be held in elementary schools with the participation of teachers and families to institutionalize the habit of reading from childhood.”
Teimouri also announced the holding of review sessions for newly published works and book launches by local authors, adding: “In these sessions, authors and critics from the province will engage in constructive discussions about their works and writing methods with the audience; poetry evenings and readings will also provide an opportunity for veteran and young poets to gather, preserving the link between generations in the field of literature.”
He referred to the extensive activities in Kermanshah province and said: “Holding book exhibitions, staging seven street plays on the theme of promoting books and reading, and reading competitions are events that will color the general atmosphere of the city with culture.”
Teimouri added: “In the field of technology, a ‘Artificial Intelligence in Publishing’ workshop and the ‘Let’s Read for Kermanshah’ campaign, which includes introducing books by Kermanshah authors in virtual space by officials, managers, and media professionals, will be held to highlight the role of new media in promoting reading.”
The Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kermanshah province, referring to the field and public programs of this period of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Book Week, said: “This week, visits to provincial bookstores and the implementation of a book-tour with the presence of publishers, authors, and publishing activists will take place to strengthen direct interaction between literary figures and the public by supporting local booksellers; additionally, a ‘Free Book Distribution’ project will be implemented during Friday prayers to make books accessible to various segments of society.”
He referred to the role of media and added: “Media plays a fundamental role in promoting reading, and this capacity should be well utilized during Book Week.”
Teimouri, referring to the role of virtual space in promoting reading, said: “One of our programs is the production of book-centric cultural content on social networks; also, the ‘One Library, One Author’ reading event, which includes introduction, reading, and direct conversation with the author, provides a valuable platform for interaction between the audience and the creator of the work. Alongside this, programs such as book review workshops, literary sessions, and unveiling ceremonies for the works of provincial authors will also be part of this week’s programs, aiming to strengthen the bond between authors and the literary community.”
