Introduction of Capital of Books attracts world toward Iran’s cultur

Throughout the history, Iranians have been book-friendly and Iran has enjoyed many large and famous libraries, Minister Ali Jannati said at the closing ceremony of Book-Friendly Villages Festival and Plan to Select Books Capital.
In continuation of a cultural tradition, the country needs to launch a massive cultural move in villages and it would be great if such a cultural move is initiated by villagers, Jannati said.
He noted that a library in a village is not just a place where books are shelved but it is a center for diversified cultural, social and artistic activities. Such events play important roles in development of villages, the minister said, adding that the village libraries have books, for example, on agriculture which helps villagers to exchange agricultural knowledge and experiences, who cooperate in protecting environment and empowerment of rural women.
“I believe every book a villager reads is like sowing the seed of knowledge in the heart of the youth in villages. Undoubtedly, such minor cultural activities will turn into major developments in the short run and create a new basis for production and development in future,” Jannati underlined.
He called on all non-governmental organizations to cooperate in promoting the culture of book reading, and establishing and equipping rural libraries.
The minister also praised 10 villages that had acquired top ranks in having functional libraries and hoped that a new generation of scientists would rise from these rural communities.
Hoping that books find their place in the families shopping basket, Jannati expressed pleasure that a move has started by the people in different cities who wish their hometown become capital city of books.
During the 2nd Festival of Book-Friendly Villages and Nomads, 820 plans were submitted to the secretariat of the festival and ten villages received top ranks as book-friendly villages.
Also alongside the festival, 100 cities proposed their plans to be chosen as the capital city of books and Nishabur in Khorasan Razavi Province earned the title.