In the session for ‘Share of Iran’s Publication in the World Publication Industry’, it was declared:
Grant Program as a Solution for Promotion and Encouragement of Iranian Thought
The session for ‘Share of Iran’s Publication in the World Publication Industry’, as a sequel to technical sessions for arrangement of the first virtual Tehran International Book Fair, was held by presence of Ali Fereidooni, Director-General of the Department for Cultural Associations, Assemblies, and Activities to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and Grant Program Secretary, and Ali Asgari, an international publication expert. Alireza Noorizadeh, Gran Program Deputy, served as session’s secretary.
Authors of Books as Carriers of Thought and Mentality
At the beginning of the session, Ali Fereidooni, who expressed his happiness from re-tendency of Iranian cultural atmosphere to a comprehensive national event of book and media, declared his opinion on the significance of transfer of Persian literature into global markets: “First, we should have a glance at culture, civilization, and civilization-construction. Islamic and Persian culture and civilization have had fluctuations both before and after the advent of Islam. Impacted by Persian culture, Islamic history, culture, and civilization experienced astonishing promotion up until the fifth century A.H. when Persian thoughts were influential for Western civilization, as well.”
Fereidooni continued: “This is indicative of the fact that the elements impacting on thought and mentality are existent in the heart of Islam’s and Iran’s culture and civilization. Although the sphere of civilization of Islam and Iran confronted some restrictions after this period of time due to dominance of some sort of parochialism, attempts have invariably been made to drag out such a dynamic Persian civilization from short-term and, at times, long-term decline periods with regard to its cultural and civilization themes.”
“This demonstrates,” Ali Fereidooni went on, “that there were influential deliberative themes in Persian culture and civilization both before and after advent of Islam. Looking at history of Persian civilization, we might detect intellectual, political, and social up-and-downs impacted by the element of thought, which is per se carried by thinkers, scholars, and authors of books.”
Book, an Important Agent of Impact
Referring to the idea that modernity was constructed subsequent to Western developments, Grant Program Secretary stated: “Impacts have created a counterpath that has engaged the east, including Iran, in the post-modern developments. In this era, a concept of cultural diplomacy was formed that wished to find a solution for serving national causes and interests and impacting on intellectual, national, and ideological spheres.”
Fereidooni continued: “Book is deemed to be a key media element in the area of cultural diplomacy. Since 200 years ago, books have particularly constituted an effective factor in intellectual interchanges and interactions between the East and the West. This concept addresses value and civilization needs.
Books should be Austerely Considered for Appearing at Civilization Spheres
Stating that everything which is labeled as an influential content instrument is derived from the concept of ‘book’, Ali Fereidooni declared: “The main element of our vicissitudinous historical civilization is book. Even our upcoming experience for the Western civilization sphere is thought, the element which is symbolized as book. In the new periods of history, governments have made attempts to appear at civilization spheres via thought and contemplation, whose central element is book.”
Fereidooni went ahead by saying “If a government thinks about a wide-ranging participation in a civilization sphere, it should consider the element of thought. Movies, cinema, theatre, and books include a type of thought, along which states should move to stabilize their participation in thought, publication, and culture market in order to prevent from falling behind the competition.”
Stating that governments have been always seeking for strategic and executive plans and programs, he emphasized that: “That is why many counties try to take part at global stage of thought through books. The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, likewise, shall not overlook this issue in order not to lag behind all other actors in the book and publication souk.
Symbolizing the presence in the publication and global interaction in the concept of thought, Ali Fereidooni declared: “Plans such as Grant Program were introduced too late by the Ministry of Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance; they had to come very sooner and higher attention should be paid to them in the future, as it is the case in all countries. Since its establishment, Cultural Deputy Office to the Ministry of Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has made serious attempts to fill the existing gaps under the auspices of governmental supports via books.”
Fereidooni evaluated as good the reception of Grant Program, saying that: “Optimistically, thoughts and ideologies find their ways to global markets and are promoted via books through the canal of Grant Program, which will elevate our interactions with both Iranian authors and foreign publishers.”
Literature and Culture Need Supports
Another guest at this session called ‘Share of Iran’s Publication in the World Publication Industry’, Ali Asgari declared about requirements and barriers on the way to reach at world publication markets: “We need to appear at the international arena in the area of cultural diplomacy and similar issues. It goes without saying that we have to translate our books into other languages. The books which are issued in Iran have several branches: some are scientific and some literal.”
He added: “We have several scientific books in the field of humanities and experimental science. In the field of religious sciences, we have a high hand at global markets since we have religious and lingual commonalities with several countries. In the areas of humanities, literature, and culture, we need supports and introduction of our works to other countries. We have made precious attempts so far and a body of tasks should be undertaken.
Necessity of Supporting Publishers, Authors, and Translators
Having said that “We have been late in entrance into global markets and we are lagging behind our counterparts,” Ali Asgari added: “Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey have large-scale presence in global markets and, thus, have been able to easily export their culture. In our country, there are barriers that should be seriously considered by the government. Publishers and authors conclude copyright agreements, while we are able to translate a book by a foreign writer that does not have the rights that an Iranian author has, according to our rules and regulations. The same happens for an Iranian author: an Iranian writer does not have this right in a foreign country, say England, and a British publisher is able to translate and publish his/her work without obtaining his/her prior consent.”
He added: “Our presence in the market was continuous, but not systematic. Orientalists were introduced to our ancient literature, which was translated by enthusiasts. Our contemporary literature was also translated by enthusiasts in other countries. Therefore, they did not appear at mainstream publication market and were published limitedly. That is why we cannot claim that we have exported our culture, since works could not find their way into the hands of ordinary audience.” He continued: “Since around 15 years ago when our governmental and nongovernmental institutes made a serious entrance into global publication markets and international fairs, we appreciated the huge potential in the field of global publication.”
So Ali Asgari continued: “In the meantime, personal movements were initiated and publishers tried to conclude contracts with foreign publishers. Sporadic interactions were established and some publishers could make international footsteps. A tad later, some plans successfully launched in other countries such as Turkey, Spain, etc., were modeled.”
Explaining Grant Program, Ali Asgari stated: “We are committed to pay a contribution to the publisher of an Iranian work in case the translation is rendered within an accepted format, a contract is concluded, and copyrights are observed outside the country. This is a good incentive, and literary agencies are able to serve as intermediaries among Iranian and foreign publishers and authors.”
Asgari maintained: “One of the barriers obstructing us from appearing at international markets is unawareness of our publishers from global publication mechanisms. We are inexperienced and we should be provided sufficient trainings in this regard. Literary agencies might come in handy, as well. Presently, a wide range of publishers have shown tendency to this. In Grant Program, translation will be supported if it is published. That is why only serious foreign publishers, who are able to publish and distribute at least one thousand versions of a translated book in their country, will strike out.”
Finally, Alireza Noorizadeh provided a statistical report out of the procured supports in the recent years before presenting a record of the activities completed under Grant Program so far.
In the first virtual Tehran International Book Fair, books will be sent free of charge and book enthusiasts can visit www.tehranbookfair.ir to buy books online up until 25 Jan. 2021.
