“Folklore of Malayer County People” Named Malayer’s Book of the Year

According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Hamadan, on Thursday evening, at the “Open Book” ceremony, held in Zanganeh city on the occasion of the 33rd Book Week with the presence of authors and poets from the county, the book “Folklore of Malayer County People” by Alireza Goudarzi was selected as the Book of the Year due to its precise attention to the customs, proverbs, dialect, and culture of the people of Malayer.

The head of Malayer’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance stated at the ceremony: “This valuable work has succeeded in documenting a part of the county’s cultural identity and preserving it for future generations.”

Farshad Keshavarzian emphasized the importance of books and reading in the cultural advancement of society and added: “According to the Supreme Leader’s emphasis on the importance of acquiring knowledge and science, in recent events in the country, we saw that in addition to the faith and courage of the Iranian nation, it was this knowledge and science that gave us strength and resilience and strengthened the country’s defensive capabilities.”

He considered books, writing, and authorship as important pillars of cultural growth and said: “Authorship and writing hold a special place, and it is necessary for writers to be supported both materially and spiritually.”

Keshavarzian stated that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has provided numerous support packages for writers, adding: “Authors who have four published and registered books in the Book House can become members of the Art Credit Fund and benefit from insurance facilities, Art Cards, and loans.”

Referring to the challenges faced by writers, he clarified: “The high costs of paper and book production have made work difficult for authors, and it is essential to strengthen government support in this area to both increase writers’ motivation and produce more valuable works.”

Keshavarzian also noted the impact of virtual space on reducing the per capita reading rate, saying: “The place of books in family life has diminished under the influence of virtual space.”

He stated that in the past, books, the Quran, Hafez’s Divan, and literary works were central to family gatherings, adding: “Today, digital tools have overshadowed a significant part of this interaction.”

The head of Malayer’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance emphasized: “This trend must be corrected by introducing good books and placing books in the family’s cultural basket.”

Keshavarzian expressed hope: “In the sphere of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s missions, by adhering to the triple motto of ‘Support, Guidance, and Oversight,’ we can play a more effective role in strengthening reading culture and supporting writers.”

Implementation of over 200 cultural programs during Book Week

The head of Malayer County Public Libraries also announced at the ceremony the implementation of over 200 cultural and promotional programs focused on books and reading across 23 public libraries in Malayer County.

Seyed Mahdi Akhshik stated that these programs were designed with a creative approach to attract various segments of society, adding: “Creative initiatives such as ‘I Read a Book, I Watch a Movie,’ ‘I Read a Book, I Watch a Play,’ the ‘Open Book’ ceremony, holding Quran recitation sessions, and establishing an ‘Eithar and Shahadat’ (Sacrifice and Martyrdom) book fair and exhibition are among these programs.”

He considered the “Ghaddeh Amin” program as one of the prominent special programs of Book Week, stating: “This program, focusing on an analysis of the Supreme Leader’s reading habits, has been held and met with a good reception from enthusiasts.”

Akhshik emphasized attention to various target audiences, stating: “In the areas of women and family, children, and teenagers, a set of educational, cultural, and promotional programs are also being held in libraries, which play an important role in expanding the culture of reading and developing literacy.”

Appreciating the cooperation of the county’s cultural organizations, he said: “These activities are carried out with the collaboration and support of several cultural institutions, including the Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Malayer County Governorate, the Islamic Propaganda Organization, and the three regional Education Departments.”