The announcement was made Tuesday during a ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters in Tehran, attended by local officials, cultural figures and media representatives.

“Evaz symbolizes endurance and continuity in promoting books and reading,” said Mohsen Haji-Zeinolabedini, the chief juror of the selection committee.

The jury highlighted the town’s community-led efforts and deep cooperation between civil society and government agencies.

According to the ministry, 110 cities entered the nationwide contest, but only 47 presented eligible proposals. Among those, Evaz stood out for its creative and sustained initiatives, such as traditional maktab-khaneh schools, a prison library, and international book promotion campaigns reaching the UAE, Kuwait, and Germany.

The town, located in the arid southern reaches of Fars Province, has long been recognized for its civic innovation. UNESCO has already designated Evaz as a “safe town for children” – a rare title in the region. Despite lacking high-rise buildings or grand cultural centers, Evaz has quietly built a reputation for inclusive development and education.

Villages around Evaz, including Galar and Fishvar, also played a part. Projects like the “Alley of Joy,” run by local teenagers to manage neighborhood cultural events, and museums focused on dolls and folklore, added to the town’s edge.

“This is not just about books,” said Azadeh Nazarboland, Secretary General of Iran’s Public Libraries Institution. “It’s about empathy, connection, and resilience. Right now, Evaz is the capital of all three.”

The selection process also honored cities including Shahin Shahr, Urmia, Qazvin, Lahijan, and Behshahr as “Book-Friendly Cities.” Fuman, Rabar, and Fahraj were named “Under-the-Book Umbrella,” while Khoy, Sirjan, and Sabzevar earned the title of “Book-Thirsty Cities.”

Iran launched the Book Capital initiative in 2014 to decentralize cultural development and encourage reading at the grassroots level. The program has grown in scope, pushing towns across the country to innovate in literacy outreach and cultural engagement.