“Iran is immortal”: Pars Today’s interview with Behnam Mobarakeh on 44 years of publishing Iran’s history and culture

Pars Today – Iranian publisher Behnam Mobarakeh has spent more than four decades of his life among paper, letters, and books; a man who began with bookselling and working in printing houses and has today become one of the well-known figures in publishing works related to Iran’s history and culture.

According to Pars Today, Behnam Mobarakeh has not only spent years preparing and publishing books, but has also made a lasting contribution to preserving and disseminating texts related to Iran’s history, language, and culture through designing Pahlavi and Avestan fonts.

He believes that Iran is an “immortal” land — a country whose Shahnameh, the poetry of Hafez, local music, diverse languages, and cultures have turned it into an endless treasure.

To learn more about this Iranian publisher, the Pars Today website conducted an interview with him, excerpts of which are presented below:

Please introduce yourself.

I am Behnam Mobarakeh. I am currently the director of the “Hiromba” Publishing House. I have been working in book preparation and publishing for about 44 years, and so far I have prepared more than 400 books for publication.

Where did you begin your career?

Since my teenage years, I have been interested in books and reading. At the age of 19, I started working as a bookseller at Forouhar Publishing House, a publisher that produced various books on Iran’s history and culture, ancient Iran, as well as works related to Zoroastrians.

Later, due to my personal interest in printing, I tried to learn the industry through hands-on apprenticeship and by working in printing houses. Despite the difficulties of printing work at that time — when everything was done manually — I learned the profession and continued my activities more professionally in the publishing field.

With changes in printing methods and the introduction of new technologies into the industry, I pursued academic studies in printing and publishing and graduated in the field, which helped me make significant progress in my career.

In 1988, I also launched a desktop publishing service called “Mazda,” which involved the professional design and page layout of printed content using computers, enabling me to accelerate the process of book printing.

What is your opinion about new technologies in the printing industry and the transformations that have taken place in recent years?

New technologies have helped the printing industry grow significantly, reduce printing costs, and enable the publication of more books. The leap that has taken place in Iran’s printing industry over recent decades is very valuable and noteworthy.

Have you also designed fonts?

Yes. For the first time, I designed Pahlavi (Parthian and Sassanian) and Avestan typefaces to make it easier to publish books related to the language and ancient history of Iran and Zoroastrian texts. I implemented these fonts in the “Zarnegar” software, which greatly facilitated the process of preparing and publishing related works. In this field, the first book titled “Jamshid, Golshah and Okht-e Jadoo”, a research work by Dr. Katayoun Mazdapour, was published by Agah Publishing House.

When did you establish your publishing house?

I founded the “Hiromba” Publishing House in 2017 (1396 in the Iranian calendar), and over these eight years I have published more than 80 books in the field of Iranian history and culture. I have also published books in children’s literature and psychology.

When we talk about Iran’s history and culture, what do we mean in your view?

We are talking about the Shahnameh, about Hafez and Saadi, about the diverse languages and cultures of the Turks, Lurs, Kurds, and Baloch, about colorful traditional clothing, about indigenous music, about mountains, seas, and deserts, and about all the beauty that has made Iran a unique land.

Does Iran have something to say in the field of publishing?

Absolutely. Iran holds a distinguished and remarkable position in the field of written history, language, and culture. Our history and culture, in the form of written and published books, have much to say.

Do you also have buyers from outside the country?

Yes. We have many buyers from regional countries, especially neighbors such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and even from European countries. Many Western researchers seek our books to better understand the history and culture of this land, and we have received very positive feedback.

What is your opinion about podcasts and audiobooks?

Today, the ways of learning and gaining experience have changed, and everyone can use different resources based on their interests and needs. However, books, as an old reference medium, still hold their place, and I believe printed books will continue to maintain their lasting position.

How can Iranian culture be promoted in your view?

We have very valuable research works and books by professors and writers who have worked in this field for years, but more effort is still needed. The cultural and artistic sphere of this land is so vast that each part of it deserves thousands of books.

How have you seen Iran’s cultural and social environment over the years of your publishing work?

I have always seen mutual respect and coexistence in Iranian society. Iranians, despite their differences, have stood together in many cultural and social matters, and this is one of the valuable characteristics of Iranian society.

What do you consider the most outstanding characteristic of Iranians?

Hospitality, empathy, and compassion.

What should Iranians be proud of?

The Shahnameh and the great poets of Iran. Imagine poets who created language and meanings that are still understandable and inspiring for today’s humanity, and people still reflect on them.

What were you doing during the war against Iran involving the United States and the Zionist regime?

During those days, I completed two books I was working on that required photo sourcing, and I also edited several other works.

What is your wish for Iran?

Progress and prosperity.

How do you see the future?

I am very hopeful about the future, relying on the history and experiences of this land.

Which book do you think all Iranians should read?

The Shahnameh.

What equivalents would you choose for the following words?

Homeland: home

Love: the breath of life

Hope: investment

Empathy: mutual understanding

Iranian culture: immortal

Iranian history: eternal