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Qalibaf: The key indicator of progress is culture / Salehi: The book fair is a large social club
1404/02/17-23:46
The 36th Tehran International Book Fair officially opened today with the presence of Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Parliament, and Seyyed Abbas Salehi, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
According to the news headquarters of the 36th Tehran International Book Fair, the opening ceremony took place this morning, Wednesday, May 6, with the participation of Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Seyyed Abbas Salehi, Ahmad Fakak Ahmad (Iraq’s Minister of Culture and Tourism), Mohsen Javadi (Head of the Book Fair), and Ebrahim Heidari (Deputy and Spokesperson of the Fair), on the mezzanine level of Imam Khomeini Mosalla.
Also present were Azadeh Nazarboland (Secretary-General of Public Libraries), Nadereh Rezaei (Deputy of Artistic Affairs of the Ministry), Mohammad Heydar (Deputy Minister of Culture of Yemen), Hojjatoleslam Arbab Soleimani, ambassadors, cultural figures, and representatives from various countries.
Minister Salehi’s Remarks
Seyyed Abbas Salehi, congratulating the birth anniversary of Imam Reza (A) and the “Decade of Dignity,” said:
“Much has been said about the importance of books. The Iraqi Minister of Culture made insightful remarks; one of the most profound statements comes from the Supreme Leader, who emphasized that books are the foundation and essence of human civilization.”
He added:
“If we look at various human civilizations—Greek, Chinese, or Islamic—it’s clear how important and central books have been. Ancient Chinese civilization moved on the foundation of books. In pre-Islamic Iran, too, and later in Islamic civilization, books have played a pivotal role, beginning with the holy book of Islam. The Islamic civilization evolved through mosques and libraries.”
Salehi stressed:
“If Ferdowsi had not written the Shahnameh, post-Islamic Iran may not have formed the way it did. Shahnameh gave Iran post-Islam a way to connect with its ancient history. Without it, that connection might have been lost.”
He continued:
“Mowlavi and Saadi are similar examples. Civilizations have a soul, and that soul depends on books. If a civilization is to be built and sustained, it must be through books.”
Salehi emphasized that books are vital for the survival and identity of a nation.
“The Book Fair is more than just a boost to the publishing economy—it’s a vast social club. We need to preserve such clubs. Today, more than ever, dear Iran needs unity, and the more unified we are, the more we defeat the enemy's schemes.”
He concluded:
“The Book Fair is a chance to socialize Iran. The slogan ‘Let’s Read for Iran’ continues the Supreme Leader’s call. If we care about Iran’s future and progress, we must invest more in books and enrich this cultural powerhouse.”
Culture: The Most Important Indicator of Growth
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Head of Parliament, also congratulated the birth of Imam Reza (A) and honored the memory of Khidmat martyrs.
Speaking of Martyr Raisi, he said:
“I was privileged to know him since 1977, and I saw nothing but sincerity, effort, and selflessness from him—especially during his presidency. As a cleric, he was deeply concerned with the people’s livelihood.”
Qalibaf continued:
“I commend all publishers and organizers of the fair. In every culture—especially in Islam—education is fundamental. As Imam Khomeini said, proper education is the foundation of the world. Poor education harms society more than any disaster, and proper education is the most influential tool we have. Books are closely tied to education.”
He added:
“One of the key responsibilities of Islamic thought is to promote thinking. In our system, books encapsulate the wisdom of humanity and empower individuals.”
“As Iranians and Muslims, we take pride in our heritage. The Prophet’s miracle—the Qur’an—came as a book to guide us in both worldly and spiritual matters. We must appreciate these opportunities.”
Qalibaf noted that while recent years have focused on economic themes in national planning, the Leader has repeatedly reminded us of the centrality of culture.
“We must remember: the most important factor in national progress is culture. Even our energy imbalance in the economy stems from a cultural gap—production culture, work ethic, and consumption. A culture-based approach to economics leads to faster and cheaper productivity growth.”
He concluded:
“Today, our public culture is directly linked to reading. In the Seventh Development Plan and in Parliament’s priorities—especially for families, mothers, and women who play a vital role in education—we are focusing on books and reading culture.”
Writers Never Die
Ahmad Fakak Al-Badrani, Iraq’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, declared in his speech:
“Writers never die. They are the conscious soul of humanity. Through their thoughts and ideas, they have written for nations.”
He said:
“Without writers, the world would collapse. We’d live in illusions. The rich would be dethroned. Writers have built honorable lives and taught us to live peacefully.”
He emphasized that book fairs should focus not just on books but on the ideas of the authors:
“Writers are alive through their words. We talk to them through reading. We memorize their poems and sing their verses.”
Al-Badrani concluded:
“Masterpieces like those of Avicenna, Shams Tabrizi, and Rumi were written in the East and are now taught in Western universities. World libraries are built on the legacy of Eastern thinkers.”
“Writers brought us the thoughts of divine prophets. Without their books, we wouldn’t know the righteous. Writers don’t die—they live on through history.”
He thanked Seyyed Abbas Salehi, Iranian colleagues, publishers, and those involved in organizing the event.
“Book sellers and publishers are not just traders—they carry ideas to human societies.”
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The 36th Tehran International Book Fair will run from May 6 to May 16, 2025, under the slogan “Let’s Read for Iran”, at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla.
Coinciding with the in-person section of the 1404 Tehran Book Fair, the virtual section will also be available through the platform book.icfi.ir, allowing book enthusiasts to purchase books online.
