Khorasan Razavi Culture and Islamic Guidance Activities Package for Book Week
Yousef Amini, in an interview with a reporter from the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Mashhad, stated that efforts have been made to implement these programs for various age and intellectual groups across the province. He emphasized: “To have a book-reading society, we must have the three pillars of family, the country’s formal education system, and the media alongside each other. Each of these must be together for society to be book-reading.”
Amini reminded that ‘Book Touring’ (Ketabgardi), as one of the main events of Book Week, has begun from the first day of the week with officials visiting bookstores, book distribution centers, and book cafes, and meeting with those working hard in the publishing and book industry.
He continued: “Also, a series of unveiling sessions, book introductions, and reviews of works are being held throughout the province, coinciding with Book Week, with the presence of experts, writers, and people from the realm of books and reading. These events are led by the General Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Khorasan Razavi and in collaboration with various organizations such as Astan Quds Razavi, the National Archives and Library Organization of Eastern Iran, the General Department of Public Libraries of Khorasan Razavi, the General Department for Preservation of Works and Publication of Sacred Defense Values, publishers, bookstores, and book cafes.”
The Cultural Deputy of the General Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Khorasan Razavi also said: “An exhibition of documents on books, reading, and librarians, titled ‘Passage of Khorasan History,’ has also been set up in Mashhad concurrently with this week.”
He added: “The unveiling of the ‘Book on the Go’ (Ketab dar Safar) project will also be carried out in cooperation with the General Department of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism of Khorasan Razavi.”
In another part of the interview, Amini raised the topic of endowment, vows, donation, and exchange of books, stating: “This issue is also being implemented throughout the year, but it will be pursued with greater focus concurrently with Book and Reading Week.”
He noted: “During Book Week, meetings with veterans of the publishing industry, activists in the book sphere, honoring public librarians, and also meetings with prominent figures and scholars of the city are also underway.”
Amini recalled: “With the cooperation of the Coordination Council of Friday Imams and Congregations of Khorasan Razavi province, this week’s Friday prayers ceremony across the country will also see Friday Imams and congregations throughout the province addressing the topic of books and reading.”
Amini emphasized: “The most important program this week is the national event ‘Sepehr Ketab’ (Book Sky), which will be held on Tuesday, November 18 at Imam Reza Complex (AS) in Mellat Park, Mashhad, with the presence of Afsharpour, the Director General of the Office for Book and Reading Development of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, along with book and reading enthusiasts and various special programs.”
He reminded: “Coinciding with Book and Reading Week, major events after Book Week in Khorasan Razavi province, such as the selection of the Book of the Year and the Book-Loving Villages initiative, will also commence.”
