Books, Flowers, and Smiles on the Last Night of Book Week: A Lasting Initiative by Culture-Loving Managers of Semnan / Honoring Booksellers, the Silent Guardians of Culture
According to Khabaronline News Agency, Semnan Province, this ceremony, in addition to its celebratory aspect, also carried a deep social message: a society that takes books seriously actively steps onto the path of growth, intellectual health, and free thinking.
Books not only transmit knowledge but also open new horizons for humanity, enhance analytical power, and build a society immune to fake news, blind prejudices, and baseless tensions. Honoring booksellers is honoring those who hold this cultural shield.
This importance holds even greater meaning and weight for Semnan Province, a region that throughout history has been the birthplace of great thinkers, commentators, writers, poets, and scholars. A land known for its rich cultural and scientific heritage as “The Seven Treasures of Qomes,” a title indicating that the roots of knowledge and wisdom in this region are too deep for the dust of time to conceal.
However, today, with the expansion of virtual space targeting the time and patience of the adolescent and young generation, this province more than ever needs double effort to institutionalize reading. If the legacy of “The Seven Treasures of Qomes” is to be preserved, the path goes through books: through encouraging children and teenagers to read, supporting bookstores, and bringing books back into people’s daily lives.
In this program, instead of holding formal, behind-the-podium ceremonies, officials decided to go into the heart of the city and honor four prominent bookstores in Semnan among the people. These bookstores are, in a way, the silent guardians of culture; those who, amidst the clamor of the economy, inflation, and changing lifestyles, still keep the light of books burning. A society where the number of readers declines gradually suffers from intellectual erosion, superficiality, and cultural stagnation. But these bookstores showed that hope is still alive.
The Four Pillars of Semnan’s Culture: A Research on the Influential Role of Four Bookstores in Promoting Reading
In the era of digital expansion and changing lifestyles, one of the most significant challenges for cultural societies is preserving and enhancing the culture of reading. Semnan Province, with its rich historical and cultural background, known as “The Seven Treasures of Qomes,” bears a double responsibility in this regard. Amidst this, four prominent bookstores in the province, with committed and creative management, play a pivotal role in institutionalizing the culture of study and preserving local language and identity. This research report introduces and analyzes the position and performance of these four bookstores within the cultural fabric of the province.
First Stop: Khetab Bookshop (Creative Bookshop)
Where books breathe with their authors
The Creative Bookshop, located on Sa’di Street, is managed by Ms. Najati, a manager who, in addition to selling books, is also an author and the head of an active publishing house. Her simultaneous presence in publishing and book sales has created a cohesive loop in the province’s cultural cycle. Cultural research shows that a close relationship between author, publisher, and bookseller is a key factor in the success of local publishing and the promotion of reading.
During her meeting with cultural officials, Ms. Najati pointed to the challenges of publishing local books and the necessity of strengthening local publishers, emphasizing that the development of domestic publishing can not only support local authors but also improve the cultural economy cycle in Semnan Province. These remarks align with research findings that highlight the role of local publishers and booksellers in preserving cultural identity and promoting the mother tongue.
Second Stop: Semnanbuyan Bookshop
At the beginning of Hakim Elahi Street, Semnanbuyan Bookshop is located, managed by Mohammad Reza Jadidi. Jadidi, a committed and active cultural figure with a background of cooperation with IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), focuses specifically on promoting the Semnani language. Linguistic and cultural sociology research emphasizes that the mother tongue is one of the most important elements of individual and collective identity, and its transmission to future generations through books and media is essential for cultural preservation.
Jadidi’s activities in holding conferences, seminars, and radio programs such as “Silver Nights” demonstrate this bookstore’s key role in preserving and expanding the Semnani language. Furthermore, the announcement by the Governor of Semnan regarding planning for the publication of educational books in the Semnani language is a sign of effective interaction between the governmental and private cultural sectors in the province, which can be considered a successful model for other regions. During this meeting, Dr. Samimian, Governor of Semnan, delivered important remarks: “The Semnani language is part of the province’s identity; we are striving to compile educational books for students.”
This part of the meeting held profound meaning, as books are the most important pathway for transmitting the mother tongue to future generations. If there are no books, languages become silent, cultures erode, and a city’s historical memory vanishes.
He also called for Dr. Dehghanloo’s presence in the Semnan Administrative Council and action to establish a library with Semnani language books in government offices.
Third Stop: Saraye Mehr Bookshop
A city initiative; chairs for reading, not just passing by
Saraye Mehr Bookshop, managed by Mojtaba Dehrouyeh, has showcased a new model of cultural interaction in Semnan by creating a distinctive space within its sales area. This bookstore has provided reading chairs and a covered outdoor space, creating a friendly and inviting environment for public reading.
Cultural sociology studies indicate that easy access and the physical presence of books in public spaces can significantly impact reading rates and promote a reading culture. This operational initiative, which creatively invites people to read in the street, is a successful example of applying cultural knowledge in developing cultural behaviors.
Fourth Stop: Bamdad Bookshop
An authentic bookstore; where nothing but books are sold
Bamdad Bookshop, managed by Ms. Mahtab Safabi, is located in one of the city’s thriving areas and, contrary to the common trend that has led many booksellers to sell various goods, is solely dedicated to books. The resilience of such a bookstore in a challenging economic environment demonstrates its manager’s firm resolve and deep belief in the importance of books and reading culture.
The enthusiastic presence of young people in this place is evidence that if proper conditions and access are provided, the audience for books will increase. Furthermore, Ms. Safabi’s emphasis on the necessity of government support and reducing book prices aligns with economic studies in the publishing sector, as the high cost of books is one of the main obstacles to increasing the per capita reading rate.
Outlook
Each of these four bookstores plays a key role in preserving and expanding the culture of reading and the cultural identity of Semnan Province. The performance of these establishments can be analyzed and appreciated not only within a business framework but also in a broader scope, namely in the social and cultural spheres.
Given Semnan’s cultural background, a province of thinkers and scholars throughout history, and its renowned title “The Seven Treasures of Qomes,” supporting and strengthening such cultural centers is of particular importance, especially in the current conditions where virtual space occupies a large portion of young people’s time.
A Beautiful Cultural Night Concludes: Roses, Hope, and an Important Message
Finally, officials honored the four booksellers by presenting roses and cultural gifts. This symbolic gesture carried a message within itself:
In a city where bookstores are alive, culture is alive.
In a city where book lovers are seen, thought remains alive.
Books are a soft yet powerful force; a power that removes violence, reduces prejudice, increases media literacy, and builds a free-thinking society.
A society that reads books is a society that understands, analyzes, critiques, and makes better choices.
And this beautiful night reminded us that in Semnan, a province with a great history, the land of “The Seven Treasures of Qomes,” the birthplace of scholars and thinkers, the light of books has not yet been extinguished.
However, to keep this light burning, especially in an era where virtual space encompasses the time and minds of the young generation, a double effort must be made to institutionalize the culture of reading among children, adolescents, and youth.
This is a universal responsibility; from families to schools, universities, managers, media, and booksellers.
Ultimately, this report records that the cultural future of Semnan will pass through the pages of books, through small but hopeful bookstores, and through managers who are dedicated to culture.
