The Book: A Connecting Link / Launch of Book-Tour 1404

According to a reporter from the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), the 33rd Book-Tour ceremony of the Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran began moments ago at the Guya House of Culture and Book, with the presence of Ahmad Masjedjamei, Ebrahim Heidari, and a group of publishing industry activists.

At this ceremony, Ahmad Masjedjamei spoke about the rationale behind holding the Book-Tour ceremony, stating: ‘In the city council, I felt that empathy, solidarity, and the public needed strengthening. During those days, some bookstores like ‘Dar al-Fikr’ served as afternoon gathering places for writers, and we wanted to strengthen this position.’

He continued: ‘We believed that booksellers are the link between publishers and the people; therefore, the ‘Book-Tour’ initiative was formed by visiting bookstores.’

Masjedjamei, stating that this tradition has continued over various years, added: ‘Conditions must be created for the problems and concerns of booksellers to be seen and expressed; it was well received, and many writers and artists participated in it, making it clear that society demands such a thing. This ceremony showed that the book is the ‘connecting link’ for everyone; therefore, this plan will also be implemented this year.’

Book-Tour Day has been held for years with the aim of encouraging people to visit bookstores and strengthen reading culture. ‘Book-Tour’ is an excuse to emphasize and draw attention to the position of bookstores as the last link in publishing.

These days, bookstores, especially small and local ones, are facing economic problems. Holding a Book-Tour ceremony with the presence of cultural and even political figures keeps the issue of books alive. In many Book-Tour programs, writers and translators are present in bookstores, and this direct interaction can create a desired and ideal image for booksellers and book lovers. By becoming a public event, Book-Tour transforms the book from a purely individual activity into a social and collective experience.

At this ceremony, Ebrahim Heidari, CEO of the Iran House of Book and Literature Institute; Raed Faridzadeh, Head of the Cinematic Organization; Asadollah Amraee, translator; Dariush Moodabian, playwright; Soheil Mahmoudi, poet; Seyed Abbas Sajjadi, poet; Amir Hosseinzadegan, manager of Qoqnuss Publications; Nader Ghadiani, manager of Ghadiani Publications; Ardeshir Behjat, manager of Behjat Publications and Bookstore; and a group of other publishers, writers, and booksellers are present.