Bookstores are Kermanshah’s Cultural Showcase / Ministry of Guidance Promises Comprehensive Support for Bookstores
According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Kermanshah, in a meeting between the Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kermanshah and a group of booksellers, representatives of this guild collectively raised their concerns and problems. They pointed to weaknesses in the bookselling profession and dissatisfaction with the sale of textbooks, emphasizing the necessity of distributing textbooks through bookstores instead of the Department of Education.
This group of bookselling activists also called for books for gifts and administrative purposes to be purchased through provincial bookstores, both for economic justification and to support local businesses. They emphasized the necessity of establishing and equipping libraries in schools and the cooperation of the Ministry of Guidance with the Ministry of Education to promote a reading culture among students.
Representatives of the guild also protested the reluctance of government departments to purchase books from local bookstores, preferring instead to acquire them from large exhibitions in other provinces. Insurance issues and their high costs for booksellers, a weak reading culture among children and adolescents, and a lack of large-scale advertising, especially on state television, were among other concerns raised.
The increase in book prices and the low per capita reading rate in the province were also noted, and the necessity of creating motivation in schools and society to pay attention to books and reading was emphasized.
We stand alongside bookstores as cultural ambassadors
Mozaffar Teimouri, Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kermanshah, in response to the booksellers’ statements, called them the ‘showcase’ of the Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance and said: ‘Booksellers are a symbol of our cultural work; when we hold book fairs, our goal is to introduce the cultural identity of the province, and bookstores are part of this identity.’
Teimouri added: ‘Even today, the problems of books and bookstores are conveyed to us, and we are proud to be alongside you as cultural ambassadors; some of the problems stem from a lack of continuous communication and coordination between us and the guild. Changes in lifestyle and the digitalization of information have led to less attention paid to books and reading, but books still hold their position and influence.’
Books are still influential
He emphasized the role of families and schools, stating: ‘Our children have distanced themselves from books, and we must strive to establish a reading culture and create sensitivity towards it; attention to primary, middle, and high school levels, cooperation with schools, municipalities, and the media are among the strategies that can strengthen the culture of reading.’
The Director General of Guidance also referred to existing statistics, saying: ‘In the province’s Art Credit Fund, 2,396 people are members, with 464 benefiting from supplementary insurance; additionally, for pension insurance, 15 people receive between 400,000 to 1 million Tomans monthly, and 1,100 people are under social security insurance; approximately 21 billion Tomans are spent annually to support artists and booksellers.’
Teimouri further discussed book sales and discounts: ‘Previously, book sales were held seasonally (autumn, spring, winter), with publishers and booksellers offering up to 40% discounts. Now, a system has been defined for registering and receiving subsidies from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and booksellers can benefit from it.’
Emphasis on the necessity of reviving reading culture in families and schools
He also emphasized the importance of booksellers’ initiatives: ‘By creating competitions, motivational programs, and gifts for students, schools can connect with you, and the motivation for reading among students will increase.’
Teimouri continued, referring to the ‘Book Taxi’ initiative and booksellers’ cultural activities: ‘Our goal is to promote the culture of books and reading in the province, and we will make every effort to support you; we are with you and will hold more meetings to address problems and offer solutions.’
He concluded: ‘I thank all booksellers, publishers, and cultural activists who, through their initiative and efforts, have paved the way for the promotion of reading, and we promise to be by your side in all avenues of support and financial, insurance, and cultural facilities.’
