Central BookCity Hosts Turkish Ambassador for Talks on Cultural Collaboration
H.E. Dr. Hicabi Kırlangıç, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Iran, visited Central BookCity in Tehran for discussions on expanding cultural exchange and exploring new opportunities for long-term cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. Hosted by senior representatives of the BookCity Institute, the meeting highlighted the enduring role of literature, translation and the humanities in strengthening international dialogue.
Farah Nazari, Managing Director of BookCity Trading Company, introduced BookCity’s thirty-year history of providing high-quality cultural products and services. She explained that BookCity has consistently sought to raise professional standards in Iran’s cultural market through the import of original-language books, collaboration with leading international publishers and brands, and sustained respect for international copyright.
She also expressed BookCity’s readiness to expand cooperation with Turkish partners in publishing, cultural industries and international trade.
Ali Asghar Mohammadkhani, Deputy Director for Cultural Affairs at BookCity, reviewed decades of literary cooperation between Iran and Türkiye, recalling joint conferences devoted to Saadi and Yunus Emre, meetings of Iranian and Turkish women writers, and collaborative publishing projects, including the Turkish translation of the Masnavi based on Dr Mohammad Ali Movahed’s critical edition.
Looking ahead, he proposed organising joint cultural weeks during the annual commemorations of Shams-e Tabrizi and Rumi, arguing that literature remains one of the strongest bridges between societies. He also suggested expanding cooperation through reciprocal translation projects, particularly in contemporary literature and children’s books.
Ambassador Kırlangıç described himself as a long-time admirer of Iran and the Persian language and emphasised that cultural relations should not depend solely on formal diplomatic channels.
He encouraged closer collaboration between BookCity and cultural institutions in Istanbul, Bursa and İzmir, suggesting that joint literary and cultural programmes could create lasting connections between intellectual communities and the wider public beyond administrative frameworks.
Closing the meeting, BookCity CEO Ali Jafarabadi emphasised that shared cultural heritage offers an enduring foundation for future cooperation. Referring to figures such as Ibn Arabi, Shams and Rumi, he argued that literature and philosophy continue to provide meaningful points of dialogue across borders.
Jafarabadi proposed developing practical initiatives—including cultural tourism programmes, joint music festivals and literary exchanges—and unveiled BookCity’s long-term vision of establishing its first international branch in Istanbul. He described the city as a natural gateway connecting the shared cultural heritage of Iran and Türkiye with wider global audiences, adding that books should be understood not merely as commercial products but as enduring carriers of meaning.
The visit concluded with Ambassador Kırlangıç signing the BookCity guest book, marking another step in the continuing cultural dialogue between Iran and Türkiye.
Photos: Pariya Fathi
