In the first days of 2019, a group of writers, illustrators and publishers of children and young adult literature gathered to honor Ali Asghar Seidabadi for his efforts in promoting a reading culture all around the country. In this event, which took place in the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon)- one of the oldest and most prominent institutes of children’s literature in Iran- several of the participants gave speeches to praise Seidabadi’s work. To open the event, Fereydoun Amouzadeh-Khalili, the prominent author and the head of Iranian Association of Writers for Children and Youth, discussed Seidabadi’s activities from different angels. In parts of his talk, he indicated what has convinced the association to choose Seidabadi as its candidate for the Astrid Lindgren Prize: “promotion of a reading culture, we believe, is a processwhich begins by the work of the author but it is the school system, distribution networks, bookshops, media, libraries and finally the audience that all interact to advance the process. Considering this fact, Mr Seidabadi is the best choice since he is a writer who is deeply familiar with the totality of the process and promotes reading from this specific perspective. He has been an author and a great journalist and has even had his own bookshop, and in all these roles he has been a promoter of reading, he knows best how to convince people that books are a necessity.”
The next speaker was Afsoun Amini, the head of the department of Cultural Creation at Kanoon, who emphasized the collective aspects of Seidabadi’s work: “In my view, what distinguishes his work from others is that he didn’t think one person can do it all, he gathered people and formed groups and now we have all these strong networks of people who promote reading and books, thanks to him.”
Hossein Sheykhaleslami, children’s literature critic also said “In these ten years that we were devastated and neglected, he kept up the spirits and helped us survive. Even in the worst days, he is the one with the big smile.”
Maryam Mohammadkhani, writer and the administration manager of Flying Turtle, talked about Seidabadi’s creative and constructive mind: “The best thing about his ideas is that they are feasible, he believes in team work and he knows how to talk to people, so he can actually do the big work.”
Marjan Fouldvand, writer, added in her speech: “we are in a not-so-good state where books might stay imprisoned, if nobody tries to pass them to the audience, they will be gone and forgotten. Promoting of a reading culture revitalizes the books. It was through my participation in his project that I realized this. This project gave me hope in my work, and even in my personal life.”
Seyed Ali Kashefi Khowansari, writer and critic, pointed out to Seidabadi’s caring attitude as his impressive characteristic: “Not so many people care for everybody around them, he is the one who does.”
Mehdi Hejvani, writer, reading promoter and editor-in-chief of Pajhuheshnameh, was the next to last speaker who said: “Seidabadi is man of the backstage, he doesn’t like to stand there and talk about his achievements.”
Before the time for Seidabadihimself to give his speech, members of the “Coordination Council of Villages and Nomads’ book-lovers’ Networks” were invited to the stage to present the new stamp motif which is designed afterSeidabadi’s name.
As the last speaker, he thanked the participants and the organizers of the event and talked briefly about his life experiences and his luck in having a family who has always supported him, and friends and companies who never stop to help:
“None of the works that led to my selection for this event I do on my own, except for writing. Lots of dear friends have worked alongside me to plan and make the Flying Turtle, The Book Clubs cup, and so many other works happen. If I am to be praised for anything, it should be for my zeal to work with others. Therefore, any honor which I receive is indeed addressed to an immense group of people who have been my friends and my supporters.”
At the end of the event, Seidabadi received the Kanoon’s Mehr-Ayeen medal and several letters of appreciation, among which were those by Kanoon; Coordination Council of Villages and Nomads’ Book-Lovers’ Networks; Iranian Association of Writers for Children and Youth; and the Book Promotion Network.
