Cultural development is not possible without books and written thought
According to the correspondent of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Ahvaz, Habibollah Fazlollahpour, on Wednesday evening, at the ceremony commemorating Book and Reading Week and honoring Khuzestan librarians, emphasized the serious need to reproduce cultural and historical content, stating: ‘If we cannot create content appropriate to our Iranian-Islamic culture and identity, this culture will gradually detach from us, and nothing but its name will remain. Books are the preservers of our nation’s thoughts, sacrifices, and devotion, and without written record, the cultural memory of a society will be forgotten over time.’
Books: A Bridge Between Generations and a Force for the Continuation of Wisdom and Enlightenment
Fazlollahpour added: ‘In the realm of Shia culture and Iranian civilization, one can write for years and years to spread the superior human and divine thought of this school throughout the world. If there were no books, many human thoughts, memories, and experiences would be lost. Books are a bridge between generations and a force for the continuation of wisdom, awareness, and enlightenment.’
The province’s cultural director also, looking at the transformations of the modern world and the social challenges arising from them, stated: ‘Khuzestan is a precious legacy of culture, civilization, and modernity; but alongside innovation and progress, one must also confront the social and cultural harms resulting from new developments. This can only be achieved through promoting reading, critical thinking, and increasing cultural literacy. Reading is a tool for awareness; to read means to think, to question, and to grow.’
He further clarified in another part of his speech: ‘True development begins with humanity. Any society achieves sustainable progress when its core is an aware and independent human being; a person who believes in wisdom, thought, and dialogue. Books create such a person – an individual who has transcended imitation and becomes self-aware, creative, and innovative.’
Fazlollahpour, referring to the role of libraries in linking government and society, added: ‘Libraries should be a place for the gathering of thinkers, elites, and social activists; a place for the clash of ideas, the exchange of thoughts, and dialogue between officials and the public. Our goal is to create spaces where dialogue replaces confrontation. A library is not just a place for borrowing books, but a platform for the birth of ideas and the solution of social problems.’
Initiating the Plan for Think Tanks and Dialogue-Oriented Groups in Libraries
He also explained about future cultural planning: ‘The plan to create think tanks and dialogue-oriented groups in public libraries has been developed to facilitate the decision-making process and the communication between the government and society, with the participation of elites, experts, and cultural activists. Shortening the distance between people and officials through the production of dialogue and thought is one of our main goals.’
He considered the role of families, especially mothers, vital in establishing culture and raising an aware and patriotic generation, saying: ‘A proud society is one that has educated and aware mothers. Mothers who transmit Iranian culture, sacrifice, and patriotism to children who are the future of this land. Iran needs children to be raised in the arms of such mothers.’
The Director General of Social Affairs of Khuzestan Governorate, at this ceremony, while congratulating the cultural community, librarians, and publishing industry activists on this week, said: ‘Book Week is a valuable opportunity to honor thought, knowledge, and the sincere efforts of educated librarians who have kept the lamp of culture lit in libraries.’
Mansour Silavi, referring to Khuzestan’s position in Iranian history and culture, stated: ‘Khuzestan is a land that has always been the gateway to thought, sacrifice, and culture, and this province is not only the origin of great industrial developments but also the birthplace of great cultural ideas. Today, more than ever, we need to revive the culture of reading and re-evaluate the role of books as the axis of society’s intellectual growth.’
He emphasized that cultural development is not possible without books and reading, stating: ‘If we want to build an Iran more reborn than before and more aware, we must make thought the axis and consider books as cultural shapers. It is books that can draw the bright horizon of the future; just as Imam Khomeini (RA) considered books one of the manifestations of the cultural revolution. As servants of culture, we have the mission to keep this sacred movement alive.’
Silavi said: ‘The Public Libraries Institution is a popular and cultural institution that, despite financial limitations, bears a great mission; the mission of expanding reading and encouraging people to read books.’
He further appreciated the efforts of the province’s librarians, saying: ‘Librarians, with minimal resources and maximum motivation, are constantly serving the people. Seeing their passion for service in libraries, especially when students, university students, and various segments of society visit these centers for reading, is one of the most beautiful manifestations of love for culture.’
He also referred to the issue of librarians’ livelihood and said: ‘The issue of librarians’ livelihood is one of the serious concerns of the country’s cultural sector, and in a recent meeting with the Secretary General of the Public Libraries Institution at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, it was emphasized that improving the economic situation of public library activists will be one of the main priorities. I hope this supportive approach continues.’
Silavi stated that books are the lamp of knowledge and a symbol of society’s dynamism, saying: ‘Books are the inheritor of culture and the guardian of thought. If we want to have a dynamic, aware, and hopeful society, we must bring children, families, and managers closer to reading. May the light of books and reading in Khuzestan be brighter and more guiding than ever before.’
At this ceremony, Leila Bazrkar, the Acting Director General of Public Libraries of Khuzestan Province, emphasized the necessity of cooperation among institutions and executive bodies in expanding the culture of reading and strengthening public libraries.
Public Libraries, an Inseparable Part of Life
Bazrkar, referring to the cultural mission of the Public Libraries Institution of the country, said: ‘Our goal is to make public libraries an inseparable part of family life and the cultural basket of every Iranian home. Book Week is a reminder to pay attention to this valuable mission and a time to renew our covenant with culture, knowledge, and reading.’
Bazrkar, while appreciating the efforts of librarians and colleagues in public libraries across the province, stated: ‘Today’s successes are the result of the diligent efforts of hardworking librarians and the cooperation of cultural managers and officials, caring mayors, and governors. I sincerely thank all these dear ones who assist us on the path of cultural development.’
The Acting Director General of Public Libraries of Khuzestan expressed hope that with continued support from local and provincial bodies, we will see a day when the most prosperous businesses are bookstores and the busiest places are public libraries
The Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Khuzestan Province also, at the ceremony commemorating Book and Reading Week, referring to the importance of books in cultural and social development, emphasized the necessity of redefining the role of libraries as centers for dialogue and culturalization, and said: ‘Books are humanity’s oldest friend; a loyal friend who never betrays and, each time opened, bestows a fresh spirit. By reading each page, one can step into new worlds, pass through the alleys of the third century, sit in conversation with Hafez, and think alongside Dostoevsky and Jalal Al-e-Ahmad.’
A Librarian is a Guide for Souls
Hossein Barati, stating that a reading society is a dynamic and thoughtful society, said: ‘A society that reads, thinks, critiques, and builds; such a society does not surrender. In this context, a librarian is not merely a guardian of shelves, but a guide for souls who, with their smile and advice, illuminates the path of human awareness.’
He further recalled the necessity of strengthening cultural and social attachments in development projects and added: ‘No nation has experienced true development without attention to social and cultural affairs. Unfortunately, in the country’s managerial perspective, these matters are given low priority. We must have cultural and social attachments alongside every construction and physical project to form balanced and profound development. Physical development without human development will not last.’
The Book and Cultural Narrative of the Sacred Defense, Transferred to Future Generations
Barati, referring to the civilizational status of Khuzestan, stated: ‘This province is the gateway to Shiism and Iranian civilization. Just as the imposed war became a part of this land’s identity, we must strive to transfer its book-based and cultural narrative to future generations so that the experience of national resistance is not forgotten.’
He, referring to the necessity of expanding social dialogue in society, said: ‘Libraries should become centers for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and interaction between the government and the nation. Dialogue is the missing link between managers and people; we must revive this space, not fear criticism, and allow people to freely express their opinions and concerns. Only through dialogue can mutual understanding and social growth be formed.’
He, referring to the transformations in the digital world, called for the development of virtual and mobile libraries in the province and added: ‘In an era where reading time is limited and people’s way of life has changed, it is necessary for libraries to adapt to society’s new needs. We must expand digital and mobile libraries so that books come to people’s homes, instead of waiting for people to go to libraries. And fortunately, the successful experience of one of the mobile libraries in Khuzestan has shown that this path can make cultural access more equitable.’
