Iran, Russia need to work together over children’s books
The focus of the 36th International Moscow Book Fair (from August 30 to September 3) is children’s and young adult’s books. Thus, organizers of the event have included the first-ever International Moscow Children’s Book Fair as part of this exhibition.
Children’s books are an irreplaceable component of education and upbringing in any society. Human social life is deeply rooted in the kind of education received in early years. Social stability and evolution have a two-way relationship with culture, and achieving progress highlights the importance of education and nurturing. Throughout history, established and evolving societies have placed a significant role on educational and nurturing institutions.
On the other hand, studying the history of human thought reveals that education and upbringing have always been the focal point of prominent thinkers in all societies, serving as the most essential and foundational issue on the path to social development and the creation of an ideal city. In contemporary times, researchers can compare the educational ideas of prominent intellectuals in their own society with those of other societies to enrich educational discourse.
Undoubtedly, children’s books published in each country reflect the intellectual and major educational discussions among thinkers and cultural figures of that nation. Therefore, one of the crucial features of international book fairs in different countries can be the exchange of experiences and achievements in the realm of children’s literature, consequently promoting educational and nurturing accomplishments.
Both Iran and Russia possess rich and significant cultural and civilizational backgrounds. The classical culture and literature of both countries have many admirers worldwide, and cultural exchanges between Iran and Russia have always brought great benefits to human heritage. The exchange of Iranian and Russian experiences in the field of children’s books can also mark significant events since it involves the exchange of educational ideas to some extent. Cultural centers in both countries can play a vital role in facilitating this exchange and introducing valuable resources for translation and publication to each other.
A search in the database of Iran’s House of Books and Literature reveals that in the past four decades, 231 titles of Russian children’s books have been translated into Persian. Additionally, statistics show that these resources have been reprinted 346 times. In total, 146 translators have published 577 children’s books, by 140 publishers in Iran.
The International Moscow Book Fair provides an excellent platform for fostering cultural exchange, especially in the realm of children’s literature, and the collaboration between Iran and Russia in this regard holds the potential to enrich the educational landscape and promote cross-cultural understanding.