Books play a vital role in the rehabilitation of human souls and minds

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), quoting the news headquarters of the 33rd Iranian Book Week, the ‘Ceremony to Honor Writers, Authors, and Translators of the State Welfare Organization’ was held on Monday, November 16, 2025 (Aban 26, 1404) at the Shahid Fayyazbakhsh Hall of this organization, with the presence of Ebrahim Heidari, CEO of Iran’s House of Book and Literature and Secretary of the 33rd Book Week, and Seyed Javad Hosseini, Head of the State Welfare Organization.

The Nature of Books is Rehabilitative

At this ceremony, Ebrahim Heidari, emphasizing the pivotal role of books in rehabilitation, said: ‘Today, we not only honor the writers of the State Welfare Organization but have gathered to commemorate the culture of writing and reading in a society that, more than anything, needs hope and rehabilitation.’

Referring to the rehabilitative nature of books, he stated: ‘Books are a legacy that arises from human experiences, enabling all of us to transcend the boundaries of limitations. For an organization whose mission is to support people in special and difficult circumstances, books can be a companion for the soul, a light for the mind, and a force for recreating abilities.’

He added: ‘The writers of the State Welfare Organization, through their compositions and translations, not only transfer knowledge and experience but also promote cultural justice. They build bridges so that all individuals, regardless of their physical or social conditions, can access the world of thought and culture. This work is a mission whose value is no less than rehabilitation services, because the rehabilitation of the soul and mind is always a prelude to the rehabilitation of the body and social life. In this regard, the work of the Welfare Organization’s writers is a great mission, as their texts ensure that their audiences do not consider themselves as “others” in our society.”‘

The Secretary of the 33rd Iranian Book Week said: ‘Book Week is an opportunity to recall the truth that books are our common language; the language of generational dialogue, empathy, and synergy. Iran’s House of Book and Literature is tasked with strengthening this language and linking it to all spheres of social life. In this path, the cooperation of institutions like the State Welfare Organization demonstrates that books are not just a cultural commodity but a social necessity; a necessity for rehabilitation, for solidarity, and for building a brighter future.’

Heidari added, emphasizing that books can teach us how to create new meanings from bitter experiences: ‘This cultural product teaches us how to create new horizons from limitations and how to move from suffering to hope. This is the great mission of writers and translators: transforming individual experiences into a collective legacy and turning words into beacons for the future.’

The CEO of Iran’s House of Book and Literature concluded his speech by saying: ‘I sincerely thank all of you who pave this path with your pens and thoughts. I hope this ceremony not only reminds you of the value of your work but also provides new motivation to continue the journey that the State Welfare Organization and Iran’s House of Book and Literature are undertaking together. A path to building a society where no one is deprived of the blessings of culture and thought.’

The Pen: A Strategic Driving Force for Society

Seyed Javad Hosseini, in another part of the ceremony, thanked the writers and emphasized their vital role in the socialization, awareness, and empowerment of the target community. He stated: ‘The State Welfare Organization needs action, not merely instinctive behavior. This organization is heavily dependent on writers, researchers, and scholars to continuously redefine its thoughts and actions and update its strategies.’

He added: ‘No factor is as capable as writers in changing society’s perception of people with disabilities. Writers should guide society from a deficit-based theory towards an asset-based theory, highlighting their strengths. Therefore, cooperation with writers is not a peripheral choice for the State Welfare Organization but a strategic need to improve the quality of life and strengthen social capital.’

The Head of the State Welfare Organization added: ‘Writers play a key role in social prevention by simplifying complex concepts such as parenting skills and mental health, as the cost of prevention is always less than the cost of treatment and intervention. Writers must narrate local identities and, in public initiatives like Salam or neighborhood-based social health, act as ambassadors of trust to revive the spirit of social participation during times of vulnerability in public trust.’

Seyed Javad Hosseini concluded his speech by stating: ‘It was requested that the rich experiences of social workers, volunteers, and beneficiaries be documented as books and documentaries so that this valuable knowledge can become an organizational treasure and the culture of “Every Iranian a Social Worker” can expand. Ultimately, the goal is to build a kinder and more capable society.’

Ferdowsi, the Conscious Psychotherapist

Following the ‘Ceremony to Honor Writers, Authors, and Translators of the State Welfare Organization,’ Zahra Saeedi, an actress and writer, spoke about the importance of books in Iranian culture, addressing the therapeutic and psychological aspects of the power of words and literature. She stated: ‘Books give the reader the necessary distance to observe themselves from afar; this distance is the first step on the path to healing. Reading acts as a deep breath for the psyche, expelling anxiety from the mind.’

The author of the book ‘The Third Feather of Simorgh’ concluded: ‘Persian literature, especially the Shahnameh, is a conscious psychotherapist. Ferdowsi was the first to propose the idea of “therapy with words” and considered wisdom a light that illuminates the inner psyche. Psychological structures can be observed in the stories of the Shahnameh; from Zahhak’s rage to Zal’s wisdom, all reflect the collective unconscious aspects of humanity. The most important message that can be extracted from the Shahnameh is that salvation lies in self-knowledge and the ability to rise again means maintaining hope.’

According to IBNA; the 33rd Iranian Book Week, with the slogan ‘Read for Iran,’ began on Saturday, November 14, 2025 (Aban 24, 1404) and will continue until November 20, 2025 (Aban 30).