Saqqez on the path of book-centered cultural policymaking / Council for the support of book printing and promotion will be formed

Arastou Goili, in an interview with the correspondent of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), referring to the discussion and review of the formation of the “Council for the Support of Book Printing and Promotion” in the Islamic City Council of Saqqez, stated: This council, with an expert approach and within the framework of legal regulations, is being formed to improve the culture of study and reading in Saqqez Municipality.

He emphasized the influential role of books in increasing public awareness and strengthening the city’s cultural life, adding: The members of the City Council, with a cultural and forward-looking perspective, approved that Saqqez Municipality should take the necessary steps to form this council within the framework of regulations and laws.

The mayor of Saqqez continued: Based on the resolution of the Islamic City Council, Bahrami, the head of the council, Behzad Vosooghi, and Zeinab Faraji, members of the City Council, were introduced as representatives of the council to participate in the “Council for the Support of Book Printing and Promotion.”

Goili also pointed to the role of the Communications and Socio-Cultural Affairs Department of Saqqez Municipality in shaping this issue, saying: The proposal for the formation of this council, with the aim of purposeful support for cultural products, strengthening reading infrastructures, and creating a fundamental and expert-based mechanism for supporting writers and publishers, especially local writers, was submitted by this department to the City Council.

Referring to the City Council’s approach in this resolution, he said: The members of the council, with the view that sustainable development cannot be achieved without serious attention to cultural infrastructures, have considered books as one of the most effective tools for social empowerment, and based on this, have emphasized the implementation of the formation of the “Council for the Support of Book Printing and Promotion.”

The mayor of Saqqez stated that this council aims to take books out of the margins of cultural activities and return them to the core of the city’s cultural policymaking, adding: One of the important goals of this council is to move beyond arbitrary and short-term support and towards cultural policymaking based on need, expertise, and expert opinion.

Goili added: The formation of this council can be a starting point for a fresh look at books in urban management; a view that considers books not merely as a commodity, but as an urban asset and an effective component in improving the quality of citizens’ lives. We hope that with the formation and activities of this council, effective steps will be taken in support of writers, the promotion of local publishing, and the expansion of reading culture throughout the city.

He also mentioned the plan to purchase surplus books from Saqqez citizens, stating: Saqqez Municipality’s new plan is not just a supportive measure, but rather the starting point for organizing the “book recycling” process in the city; a process that can bring books sitting on shelves to students, university students, and enthusiasts who need them.

Goili continued: In addition to its supportive aspect for families, this plan is a fundamental step towards strengthening the reading movement in Saqqez and can strengthen the healthy cycle of knowledge transfer in the city and make Saqqez a model for other cities in preserving books.