Iran’s Book Capital nominees announced
The selected cities for the final stage of Iran’s 8th edition of Book Capital were revealed. During a press conference attended by Iran’s Deputy Culture Minister Yaser Ahmadvand and Ismail Janalipour, director general of the Office of Assemblies, Guilds, and Cultural Activities of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the 12 cities were disclosed.
The nominated cities include Oz and Sadra (Fars Province), Semnan (Semnan Province), Qazvin (Qazvin Province), Karaj (Alborz Province), Shahin Shahr and Meymeh (Isfahan Province), Rabor (Kerman Province), Fuman (Gilan Province), Sabzevar (Khorasan Razavi Province), Amol (Mazandaran Province), and Urmia (West Azarbaijan Province).
Janalipour highlighted that Iran’s Book Capital has undergone some changes in this edition and noted that 105 cities participated in the competition, with the final 12 reaching the final stage after evaluation by judges.
Prior to the event, efforts were made to revitalize the network of book-loving cities and extend its reach to other urban and rural areas. In this edition, cities and villages were categorized based on their level of development, ensuring a fair selection process considering their capacities and future plans.
Ahmadvand said that more than a hundred cities took part in the competition, with 76 completing the registration process. The widespread interest from 24 provinces demonstrates the significance of books across the nation.
The closing ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 15 at Azadi Tower. This edition places a strong emphasis on diverse programs and facilities planned by official bodies, as well as the active participation of the public. The goal is to foster a new wave of enthusiasm for books in these cities, enabling them to implement their proposed plans to their full potential.
The chosen cities will receive special facilities and support, including priority in program implementation, educational and cultural courses, library upgrades, author support, and book festivals, courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Ahmadvand stressed that selected cities must prove themselves worthy of the Book Capital title in this competitive event, demonstrating a strong dedication to promoting reading. While the ministry aims to provide maximum support, the true potential of these cities lies in their capacities, a source of pride for all involved.