The ‘Ketabgardi’ (Book-Touring) initiative has achieved its intended purpose

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), Ahmad Masjedjamei, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the House of Book and Literature, in an interview with the news headquarters of the 33rd Iran Book Week, announced regarding the 12th session of the “Ketabgardi” (Book-touring) initiative, which will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2025: “Fortunately, the Ketabgardi program has found and established its place over the years. I am truly happy that this program not only continues after all these years but also becomes more fruitful each year.”

He added: “In past years, I used to invite citizens, families, teachers, students, and professional associations to participate in Ketabgardi, but today this trend has reversed. Now it is the publishers and cultural figures who invite us to attend their programs, and this was the very intention we pursued from the beginning of launching Ketabgardi.”

Masjedjamei stated about the main achievement of this initiative: “Ketabgardi has provided a space for direct dialogue between publishers, authors, audiences, and executive bodies. In the past, officials usually lectured to a group of publishers, but today managers have become listeners, and it is the publishers and booksellers who express their views in a comfortable and friendly environment.”

He also addressed the side achievements of the Ketabgardi initiative and said: “This program provides a platform for authors to meet their readers, and publishers can also engage in dialogue with various groups of buyers of their works. The formation of book-reading circles in cafes, parks, and even private homes has also been one of the positive outcomes of this initiative.”

The founder of Ketabgardi, in another part of his speech, referred to the physical expansion of this program and continued: “The creation of projects such as the ‘Book Pedestrian Street’ between Enghelab Square and Vali Asr Crossroads, and the addition of audio and digital books to this initiative, are among its other achievements over the years. In the early years, a limited number of bookstores were active on Karimkhan Street, but today these spaces are full of bookstores and book cafes, and our tour route has also become much wider.”

In response to a question about the executive details of this year’s Ketabgardi, Masjedjamei explained: “The exact program and starting point of this year’s Ketabgardi are still under review and completion due to receiving suggestions and invitations from publishers and booksellers; the final program for the route will be finalized by the House of Book and Literature of Iran, the Tehran Publishers and Booksellers Union, and other relevant associations in a meeting and will be announced soon. Usually, the program starts in the morning with breakfast for publishing professionals and participants in Ketabgardi and then continues with visits to bookstores in various parts of Tehran, including Enghelab, West, or Karimkhan Street.”

Expressing gratitude to all those involved in this initiative, he conveyed his message to book enthusiasts as follows: “Every year I have witnessed sweet events in this program, from the presence of great cultural figures to the formation of book-reading circles in villages following these Ketabgardis. Ketabgardi is no longer a formal, lecture-oriented program, but rather a social and cultural space that experiences an innovative and dialogue-oriented approach to books. I invite all groups, especially young people, to join us on this unforgettable day.”

Masjedjamei also emphasized this year’s slogan: “We have chosen the slogan ‘I’m coming too’ for this year. This slogan clearly shows that Ketabgardi has become a collective movement for the vitality of our society. Now, from authors and publishers to students and homemakers, everyone responds to the invitation of Ketabgardi by saying: ‘I’m coming too.'”

According to IBNA; the 33rd Iran Book Week, with the slogan “Let’s Read for Iran,” began on Saturday, November 15, 2025, and will continue until November 21.