As geopolitical tensions and bombardments affected Tehran, a fragile ceasefire finally brought a period of relative calm. The Associated Press, in a dispatch from the heart of the capital, highlighted how the daily flow of life and business continues in Iran, revealing that during challenging times, citizens increasingly turned to bookstores. Throughout this period, BookCity (Shahr-e Ketab) stood out as a stable cultural institution and a safe sanctuary for the public.
During the most intense weeks of the conflict, demand for books at BookCity branches soared—especially for historical fiction, self-help guides, and adult coloring books. Ali Jafarabadi, CEO of BookCity, told the AP: “People are craving books. People are craving culture. People are craving a safe space where they can come and connect with each other. That is the people of Iran.”
His words carried extra weight given that at least 66 BookCity branches across Tehran sustained damage. A blast near the flagship store on Shariati Street blew out the front windows and drove metal debris through a row of books in Jafarabadi’s office. Yet, after just a few days of closure, the stores reopened and quickly resumed brisk business.
The AP report captures a deeper truth: when military security is disrupted, it is culture that holds a society together. In a country famous for its literary legacy, bookstores become a lifeline. Maryam Saeedpoor, a photographer, tried to paint to calm her nerves, while others sought different ways to maintain normalcy. But the quietest and most persistent response was simply reading.
BookCity, with nearly 100100 branches across Iran, embodies the perspective shared by one resident in the report: “Everyone is looking for an improved situation, not a radicalized situation at any cost.” It is the readers, the booksellers, and the culture enthusiasts who ensure that even under crisis, a society’s cultural authenticity endures.
Read the full AP story here:
Ceasefire deal brings relief to some in Iran, but Trump’s threat to end a civilization still echoes
BookCity stands with all those who believe that the freedom to read knows no borders – and that a nation that reads, endures.
