Iranian and Swede national libraries to expand cooperation

The Undersecretary of the Swedish Embassy to Tehran, Eric Salmgren von Schantz, met with Head of the National Library and Archives Organization of Iran (NLAI) Eshagh Salahi to discuss cooperation avenues, AVA Diplomatic reports.

In the meeting, Salahi welcomed Eric Salmgren von Schantz and then introduced the Iranian National Library, saying Iran has merged the National Library and Archives Organization which is now being directed by a board of trustees.

He said the library is unique in being open 24/7 and is closed only three days throughout the year and provides several facilities for the members and researchers such as the research forums in the halls and free internet.

As Salahi said, Iran shares a similar ranking with the US for submission of 7 works to the UNESCO Memory of the World.

He went on to add that Iran’s National Library has signed MOU’s with over 80 countries of the world but unfortunately there has been no agreement signed with the national archive and library of Sweden and 12 years has passed since the two institution’s last contact.

Noting the presence of many Iranians in Sweden, the Iranian National Library director called it a good ground for further cooperation between the two libraries, saying if a certain space is dedicated to Iran in the Swedish National Library, NLAI is ready to send Persian and Arabic books on Iran, Islam and the Islamic Revolution in order to be used by researchers.

For his part, Schantz described Iran as a cultural country in which cultural values are highly respected.

“Cultural agreements are the best bridges between nations and I would officially convey your invitation to directors of the Swedish national library and archives,” added Schantz.

He further mentioned translation of poems by Hafiz and Khayyam into Swedish and called for expansion of cultural relations between Tehran and Stockholm.