BookCity and IRNA Explore New Paths for Promoting Reading Culture

According to IRNA, Hossein Jaber Ansari, Managing Director of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), visited the BookCity complex and met with the institution’s managers, emphasizing the shared mission of national media organizations and publishing institutions. He called for stronger cooperation between the two sides in advancing reading culture and encouraging book engagement across society.

The visit was part of a series of cultural tours undertaken by the IRNA chief. During the program, Jaber Ansari met with Ali Jafarabadi, CEO of the BookCity Institute, and Pedram Alvandi, Director of Central BookCity, and toured various sections of the complex.

Presenting IRNA’s new managerial vision, Jaber Ansari outlined four guiding principles for the agency: “Iran is more than Tehran,” “Iran’s issues are not limited to politics,” “IRNA belongs not only to the government but also to the people,” and “Iran is not alone in the world.” Stressing his commitment to developing IRNA into both a truly national media organization and a professional news agency, he noted that reflecting the voices of intellectuals and diverse social groups is essential to achieving these goals.

Ali Jafarabadi, CEO of the BookCity Institute, welcomed the visit and emphasized the importance of dialogue and practical cooperation in pursuing the shared cultural objectives of the two institutions.

During the tour, Pedram Alvandi introduced the various sections of Central BookCity to the IRNA delegation. One particularly notable feature was a special collection of books transferred from Bahman BookCity. These volumes had been housed at the branch during the war and, despite sustaining minor damage, have been preserved and are now being offered to readers with a distinctive commemorative value.