Iran and Norway discuss literary and library cooperation

Pars Today – Iran’s ambassador to Oslo and the head of Norway’s National Library discussed ways to expand literary and library cooperation, exchange resources, introduce works by writers from both countries, and make use of digital technologies.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Iran’s Ambassador to Oslo Alireza Jahangiri, in a meeting with Asle Votjos, Director of Norway’s National Library, pointed to the widespread publication in Persian of works by prominent Norwegian writers, including Henrik Ibsen, Knut Hamsun and Jon Fosse. He said the strong interest of Iranian readers in these works provides a suitable opportunity to expand cultural relations and implement joint programs between the two countries.

The Director of Norway’s National Library also welcomed Iranian readers’ interest in the country’s literature and expressed support for a proposal to compare lists of translations available in the national libraries of Iran and Norway.

The Iranian ambassador also noted that more than 65 Persian translations and retranslations of Henrik Ibsen’s works have been published, along with the “An Evening with Ibsen” program held at the National Library and Archives of Iran. He announced Iran’s readiness to organize reciprocal literary programs.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included holding an exhibition on “120 Years of Iran-Norway Relations,” identifying and publishing travelogues by Norwegian writers about Iran, exchanging resources and experts, and cooperation in the fields of manuscripts, metadata and digitization.

The two sides also discussed using the capabilities of the international “AI for Libraries, Archives and Museums” network, known as “AI4LAM,” as an area of technical cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, both sides stressed the continuation of expert-level discussions and the use of books, literature and digital technologies to deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of Iran and Norway.