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Tehran Book Fair plays important role in introducing contemporary culture of Iran
1402/02/10-15:24
Nader Entessar said that Tehran International Book Fair plays an important role in introducing the contemporary culture of Iran to the world.
According to the news headquarters of the 34th Tehran International Book Fair, Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus of Political Science from university of South Alabama about this exhibition and how it was held: I have read articles and reports about the Tehran International Book Fair says: In my opinion, the best way to promote the Tehran International Book Fair in the world's cultural calendar is the participation and active presence of world-renowned publishers in it. This is the process used by most of the famous book fairs around the world.
He also stated about the role of the book in the field of cultural diplomacy: Although these days the book in its traditional style has to compete with digital publications to attract readers, but the book in its different forms has and will have a vital place as an important commodity in cultural diplomacy. Therefore, it is necessary to prioritize the production of good books both in terms of quality and quantity. I mean the goodness of the book is its scientific and cultural value. A book that is content with slogans cannot play a positive role in promoting cultural diplomacy or introducing Iran's culture.
Entessar in answer to the question about the role of the Tehran International Book Fair in introducing Iran's contemporary culture and said: There is no doubt that such an exhibition can play an important role in introducing Iran's contemporary culture. But the professional organization of the Tehran Book Fair or other similar exhibitions should always be the priority of the organizers. The contemporary culture of Iran is not owned by a particular person or group, and its best representative is its universality.
He argued: Iran's cultural and civilizational background and of course the temptation to learn about the latest products of Iran's publishing industry are among the reasons that make attending the Tehran International Book Fair attractive to me. These two are important reasons and I have no reason to prefer one over the other. All these issues should be considered in organizing a book fair to increase the number of participants to the majority.
Emeritus Professor of Political Science of university of South Alabama also answered the question, “If you want to prepare a book about the contemporary situation of Iran in the fields of culture, politics and religion, in which countries would you rely more on the researches published and prepare it?” He stated: What is important is the scientific and academic nature of the book, not the country that publishes the book. Of course, we must keep in mind that now most of the works that are published about the contemporary situation of Iran in the fields of culture, politics and religion are produced in the West, especially in the United States. Such books are reliable if they are written by academic researchers and professors not related to “think tanks”.
At the end, Entessar said: The majority of “think tanks” in the US have a close relationship with the government, pressure groups, and lobbies, whose main goal is to promote their country's policies and their financial support groups, and unfortunately, these are the producers of the majority of research published about Iran today. Hence, the question we have to ask ourselves is who is the author? Where does the source of his income come from? What is its relationship with pressure groups and with the centers of power in the US or other states and what has it been? And... the answer to these questions can clarify the reliability or unreliability of the published research.
The 34th Tehran International Book Fair will be held from 10 to 20 May 2023 in Imam Khomeini Mosque and simultaneously on ketab.ir.
