Fourth Kurdistan Book of the Year Award Concludes
According to the correspondent of Iran’s Book News Agency (IBNA) in Sanandaj, the Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kurdistan, on Tuesday night at the closing ceremony of this event, emphasized that books are the engine shaping culture and social identity, stating: ‘Attention to books is inseparable from promoting a reading culture, and all organizations and cultural activists must play a role in this path.’
Ali Asghar Daryaei considered the diminishing presence of books in family baskets as one of the cultural challenges and stated: ‘Despite its advantages, cyberspace cannot replace books.’
He referred to the increase in social harms such as divorce and addiction, highlighting the role of writers and researchers in producing influential works, and said: ‘Books can change the path of individual and collective growth and reduce some of these harms.’
According to the Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Kurdistan Province, purposeful study and subject-oriented reading programs can deepen thought.
Daryaei announced the annual donation of over one billion Tomans worth of books to institutions, schools, and villages, adding: ‘This year, 22 book titles have been supported, and efforts to ensure the presence of provincial publishers in national and international exhibitions continue.’
He also mentioned programs honoring Kurdistan’s luminaries such as Amir Nezam Garrousi, Mullah Abdullah Mardoukh, Mullah Mustafa Beisarani, and Mastoureh Ardalan as an important part of the cultural mission of this general directorate.
Review of the Award Process and Submitted Works
Arsalan Ardalan, Secretary of the fourth Kurdistan Book of the Year Award, stated that the first edition of this award was held in 2011 in Kamyaran, adding: ‘After several years of hiatus, Sanandaj hosted this event this year.’
According to him, in this edition, 65 works from 32 writers and researchers were submitted to the secretariat, from which, based on the opinion of the judging panel, 10 works were selected as winners and honorable mentions.
He also called for the annual establishment of the Hawraman Pen Award, so that writers and literati of the Hawraman region can introduce their capabilities more than ever.
Winners of the Fourth Edition
At this ceremony, the books ‘Jiqqneh’ by Alireza Mohammadian and ‘I Can Say No’ by Leili Ataei were introduced in the children’s poetry section; the book ‘The Adventures of Captain Jirshwali’ by a group of translators in the young adult fiction section; and the book ‘Chia Goes to the Doctor’ by Azadeh Dehghani in the children’s fiction section.
Also, in the history section, the book ‘The Zakarid Dynasty: Kurdish Kings of Armenia’ by Rostam Alikhani, and in the short story collection section, the book ‘Dayannameh’ by Amir Hossein Azimian were selected as winners.
The book ‘Call Me Red’ by Sargol Abbasi in the short story section and ‘Year of Turmoil’ by Soraya Tahmasbi in the novel section were introduced as selected works.
In the Kurdish literature section, the book ‘A Death That Loved Its Red Roses’ by Chiman Bagheri (translator), and in the history section, the book ‘Hassan Ali Khan Amir Nezam Garrousi’ by Mohammad Marivani were recognized as deserving of appreciation.
Also, in the publishers’ section, Saadi Sajjadi (Tafgeh Publications), Shahoo Ahmadi (Ketabcheh Publications), and Rafigh Salehi (Amyar Publications) were honored.
The fourth Kurdistan Book of the Year Award concluded by honoring the top performers in the fields of poetry, fiction, research, and children’s and young adult literature; an event that once again emphasized the importance of strengthening the publishing industry and developing a reading culture in the province.
