In a follow-up to the ‘Nowruz (Persian New Year) Gift Book’ plan proposed by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in February, a campaign has been started by artists and cultural figures to promote the culture of giving books as New Year gifts among the public.
The prominent librarian and educator Noushafarin Ansari, veteran author and translator Goli Emami, actress Andishe Fooladvand and screenwriter and film director Sorush Sehat are among the artists and cultural figures that have supported the campaign ‘This New Year We Gift Books’, IRNA reported.
“Let’s give books to others instead of other gifts for this Persian New Year (March 20). A good book is an unforgettable present,” Ansari said.
Calling books the best gift, Emami also invited all Iranians to present each other books on the occasion.
The proposal by the Culture Ministry, is an effort to encourage people to buy more books by availing the 20% discount at a selected number of bookstores around the country. The discounts are offered till the end of Nowruz holidays on April 1.
Fooladvand urged the people to support the cultural campaign by purchasing books, while Sehat said Nowruz holidays are the best time for book reading.
So far, 300 book stores across Iran have joined the ‘Nowruz Gift Book’ plan.
