Iran Unveils Nominee for Prestigious IBBY iRead Award

Iran Unveils Nominee for Prestigious IBBY iRead Award

The Children’s Book Council of Iran has proudly announced its candidate for the 2026 IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award. Ali-Asghar Seyyedabadi, an influential advocate for reading and a prominent researcher in children’s literature, has received this prestigious nomination, as reported by IRNA.

The IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award is set to be presented at the upcoming IBBY Congress, scheduled to take place from July 5 to 9, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting reading, especially among children and young adults.

Ali-Asghar Seyyedabadi has dedicated over 35 years to the field of literature, serving as a writer, reading promoter, and researcher focused on children and young adult literature. His commitment to fostering a love for reading as a powerful social action has been evident throughout his career. Here are some key highlights of his contributions:

  • Launched his first children’s book in 1996, and has since published approximately 70 books focused on young audiences.
  • Shifted from individual to institutional efforts in reading promotion around 20 years ago, establishing various reading promotion institutions across Iran.
  • Implemented large-scale initiatives, leading to substantial growth in reading culture throughout the country.

In 2014, Seyyedabadi initiated innovative programs to encourage reading across Iran. These initiatives united various stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, civil institutions, government agencies, and public organizations, thereby creating a robust network for promoting literacy. Notably, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts connected children, young adults, and reading advocates, resulting in:

  • Engagement from 180 cities and 1,400 villages in Iran.
  • The establishment of over 17,000 reading clubs in urban areas and 40,000 reading clubs in preschools nationwide.

This nomination for the 2026 IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award follows Seyyedabadi’s earlier nomination for the 2024 award. The IBBY-iRead Award, established by the Shenzhen iRead Foundation and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), is designed to encourage a genuine commitment to promoting reading across the globe.

The IBBY-iRead Award jury selects two winners annually, each receiving 200,000 RMB Yuan. Additionally, each winner has the opportunity to direct 150,000 RMB Yuan toward a non-profit children’s reading promotion project of their choice, further amplifying the impact of their efforts.

Previous award recipients include notable figures such as Swedish-Dutch author Marit Törnqvist and Chinese educator Zhu Yongxin, who were awarded in 2020. The 2024 winners, Basarat Kazim from Pakistan and Irene Vasco from Colombia, exemplify the diverse global commitment to promoting reading among young audiences.

Furthermore, the IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award is another prestigious accolade that recognizes outstanding contributions to reading promotion programs for children and young adults. Established in 1986, this award is sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and is presented biennially to an individual or organization demonstrating a lasting impact in the field. The recipient is awarded a prize of $10,000 and a diploma, which is presented during the biennial IBBY Congress.

In conclusion, Ali-Asghar Seyyedabadi’s nomination for the 2026 IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award highlights his lifelong dedication to fostering a love for reading in Iran. His extensive achievements not only reflect his commitment to children’s literature but also serve as an inspiration for others around the world striving to promote literacy and a culture of reading.

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