Culture of book reading vanishing in Iran

Speaking at a seminar held in honor of provincial librarians and publishers at Farshchian Complex Sunday, he said that reading books needs to be cultivated in our society, and that “the society places greater value on sandwiches than it does on books!”

“Book reading has not received enough publicity over the past years. Some only read and study books for financial gain and consider book reading a profession, which is a pity. We need to promote reading in a way to develop logical and rational thinking,” he explained.

Ayatollah Tabatabainejad continued that book reading in seminaries is not comparable to other locations. “In seminaries a culture of learning dominates all others. While Book reading is recommended in Islam, it is practiced more in other countries.”

Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance for Cultural Affairs Bahman Dorri also lamented the lack of sufficient publicity to encourage reading.

“There are more advertisements for cheese snacks as compared to for books and reading,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 18th Iran Book Week on Sunday.

“We need the help of national media in promoting the reading of books. We must introduce books to people efficiently and continue to do so,” he added.

Sometimes, some organizations donate packs of books as gifts to their members or guests but the packs contain insufficient numbers of books for everyone. This also is something that needs to be better organized, he said.

Dorri also proposed reviving the venerable tradition of book reading contests at schools.

The 18th Iran Book Week will run until November 21 with the motto of “Reading, Thought and Wisdom” in different cities of Iran.

Photo: A publisher offers books at a discount to convince people to buy at the 23rd Tehran International Book Fair, which was held at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla from May 5 to 15, 2010. (Mehr/Mohsen Rezaii)