Commemoration Ceremony for the Founders of Tabriz National Library Held / 6 Thousand Precious Books Collected by Nakhjavani Brothers

According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Tabriz, Asad Babaei, Director General of Public Libraries of East Azerbaijan, recalled at this ceremony that the Tabriz National Library was established in 1956 following the endowment of the unique personal library collection of two distinguished and benevolent Tabriz merchants, Haj Hossein and Haj Mohammad Nakhjavani.

He further noted that thanks to the efforts of these two brothers, the Tabriz Library is recognized as one of the oldest and richest libraries in the country.

Babaei emphasized that the Nakhjavani brothers laid the foundation for this collection by donating over 6,000 precious handwritten, lithograph, and old lead-print books, initiating a movement that has made Tabriz renowned as the city of book donations.

The Director General of Public Libraries of East Azerbaijan, referring to the establishment of a culture of donating private libraries in Tabriz, stated that since 1956, 850 culture-loving philanthropists have donated over 40,000 precious books to the Tabriz Library.

He clarified that over 90 percent of the library’s unique treasury of manuscripts are public donations, 95 percent of which have been microfilmed and made available to researchers.

Farrokh Nakhjavani, a descendant of Haj Hossein Nakhjavani, said that there are many individuals in the history of Tabriz who have engaged in charitable activities and left a good legacy.

He affirmed that people like the Nakhjavanis were not merely merchants; they truly served their city by valuing culture.

Sirus Nakhjavani, another descendant of the late Nakhjavanis, expressed gratitude to the General Directorate of Public Libraries of East Azerbaijan for organizing this event, stating, “We need to place greater value on commemorating the prominent figures of the province.”

He highlighted the organization of the tombs of Haj Hossein and Haj Mohammad Nakhjavani, recognized as Tabriz luminaries, within the Tuba’iyeh complex, stressing that “the new generation is unaware of their past luminaries, but holding commemoration ceremonies and installing their memorials throughout the city can be effective in this regard.”

It was also mentioned that during this ceremony, the special commemorative stamp for the Nakhjavani brothers and the book “List of Manuscripts of Tabriz Central Library” (Haj Hossein Nakhjavani Collection) were unveiled.