Book Pedestrian Way; A Bridge Between People and Culture

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), Mazaher Babaei, Deputy of Book and Culture of the Iran House of Book and Literature, said: One of the cultural programs of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic in the development and promotion of books and reading and making it an issue for the people is the holding of the Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has long been held with the participation of various governmental, public, and popular institutions such as the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Municipality, various associations and institutions, the private sector, and others.

He considered this national event to be the second largest book-oriented event after the Tehran International Book Fair and continued: Book Week, with the aim of inspiring and drawing the attention of the general public to books, is held annually in the third decade of Aban (October/November) in a decentralized manner across the country. In recent years, due to the emphasis of the Supreme Leader (May his shadow be extended) on the reading movement, most of the country’s institutions, including governmental, popular, and private, have directly or indirectly, and in proportion to their capacity, social responsibility, and organizational missions, joined it and participate in this cultural event in various forms. The diversity of public and institutional participation has led to the formation of various types of book-oriented events during this period.

He also stated: In light of the programs of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran in strengthening the culture of study and promoting reading, and with attention to the emphasis of the esteemed Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, at the suggestion of the Iran House of Book and Literature, and also with the cooperation of Tehran Municipality, the Beautification Organization, the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) Tehran Branch, and especially District 6 Municipality, simultaneously with the 33rd period of the Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a program titled “Book Pedestrian Way” is being planned to establish a special and memorable event during Book Week, with a different and suitable program for the cultural and social conditions of society.

Babaei, in another part of his speech, referred to the 12-day Sacred Defense and added: In reality, considering the mental and emotional conditions of society and the economic problems resulting from unjust sanctions, it is necessary for cultural programs to have an atmosphere of celebration and joy and to be held in open and public spaces instead of closed halls. This necessity is doubled in the publishing sector, as publishers and booksellers have suffered more damage and stagnation than other professions in these months. Accordingly, for the first time in the country, a new and effective program titled “Book Pedestrian Way” has been designed. This project seeks to create a cultural hub on the main path leading to books, on the occasion of Book Week, and by inviting natural and legal persons, to provide the ground for the implementation of diverse programs and extensive participation in this cultural event.

The Deputy of Book and Culture of the Iran House of Book and Literature added: Thus, the pedestrian path of Enghelab Street, which is the most important concentration point for the publishing industry in the country, will become the central point of Book Week programs nationwide, and the Iran House of Book and Literature, in cooperation with other stakeholders, is striving for this national event to achieve a supra-regional status. Among the goals and approaches of this event are attracting public participation, reducing the communication gap between officials and society, the presence of officials in the community, creating a positive atmosphere for books and for all people. Also, inviting enthusiasts and officials and creating an attractive and joyful atmosphere are among the other goals of the “Book Pedestrian Way.”

He considered the “Book Pedestrian Way” as one of the approved projects of the Policy-making Council of the Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran and stated: This event will be held simultaneously with the 33rd Book Week on Enghelab Street, from Enghelab Square to Vali-e Asr Crossroads. The presence of country managers, media activists, book visits and unveilings, book sales in bookstores with supportive subsidies, holding cultural meetings and book-oriented sessions, related artistic programs such as street theater and music, holding thematic book exhibitions, meeting with people of the pen, holding reading competitions and challenges are among the planned programs that will be implemented during Book Week within the framework of the “Book Pedestrian Way” project.

He added: Environmental landscaping, interaction with commercial, administrative, and residential units in the project area, inviting cultural figures and familiar faces, cultural hospitality and gifts, and virtual space campaigns are among other planned programs in this project. Also, Enghelab Street, as the main center of books in the country, has been considered for this project, which can be extended to other places and different points. It is hoped that with the continuation of this approach, the creation of such cultural paths will be pursued consistently and sustainably across all cities of the country.

Mazaher Babaei concluded: The 33rd Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the slogan “Let’s Read for Iran,” will be held with various cultural programs by governmental, private, civil, and popular institutions from November 15th to 21st across the country; we invite all enthusiasts and the general public, especially regular passersby of the mentioned area, artists, people of the pen, cultural figures, and government officials at four levels: the government and executive branch, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and other pillars and components of governance, the public sector, Tehran Municipality managers, and media professionals to participate in the “Book Pedestrian Way” program.