Widespread library damage across Iran inflicts cultural loss
Over 50 public libraries across Iran sustained damage in recent unrest that began in January 8, with several rendered completely inoperable, according to Azadeh Nazarboland, Secretary-General of the National Library and Archives of Iran.
The incidents, which have targeted vital cultural institutions, have raised concerns about the long-term impact on literacy and access to knowledge, particularly for vulnerable populations, IRNA reported.
The destruction represents a significant setback for Iran’s cultural infrastructure, impacting not only physical buildings but also the crucial role libraries play in fostering intellectual discourse and community engagement.
Experts warn that the loss of these resources will disproportionately affect children, adolescents, and those who rely on libraries as safe havens for learning and cultural enrichment.
The most devastating incident occurred at the Mohammadieh Public Library in Borujen, Charmahal and Bakhtiari Province.
This venerable institution, bequeathed as a cultural endowment over five decades ago in 1970 by the grandson of Ayatollah Seyed Abolhasan Isfahani, housed a priceless collection of over 12,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts, stone prints, encyclopedias, and authoritative Arabic and Persian dictionaries.
Notably, the library also contained a curated selection of significant works from Sunni Islamic scholarly centers in Lebanon (Beirut), Egypt (Cairo), Iraq (Najaf and Baghdad).
Tragically, during the disturbances, the manuscript section, publications, children’s resources, and educational materials were completely consumed by fire.
Further damage was reported at the Ferdowsi Public Library in Sureshjan, Charmahal and Bakhtiari Province, a popular hub with 30,000 books and 700 active members.
The Imam Hassan Mojtaba (PBUH) Public Library in the underprivileged Zarneh district of Ivan, Ilam Province, which served as the sole cultural center for the region, was also entirely destroyed by fire, along with its 17,000 volumes and 400 members.
In Yazd Province, the Ayatollah A’rafi Public Library in Maybod suffered a fire, resulting in the loss of over 7,000 books, primarily educational resources intended for students.
Nazarboland emphasized the breadth of the damage, encompassing arson, vandalism, theft of equipment, and severe structural and resource degradation.
The National Library and Archives of Iran is currently assessing the extent of the losses and formulating plans for the swift reconstruction of these vital cultural centers, aiming to restore them as spaces for intellectual exchange and community cohesion.