National Library of Iran in the midst of War of the Cities

Abstract

The War of the Cities was a series of five air raids, missile attacks, and artillery shelling on major cities and urban areas during the Iran-Iraq war lasting from September 1980 to August 1988. This series of five systematic air raids was conducted over eight years. The last time was extreme and expanded into more areas. After striking Grand Bazaar of Tehran in 1988, the National Library of Iran which was located nearby decided to protect its resources by moving them to a safe place. After searching to find the right place, at least 12000 manuscripts, 12000 lithographic and rare books, a part of the periodicals collection and some paintings and calligraphies were moved to the Banknotes Repository of Central Bank of Iran in sealed special banknotes boxes from March 7 to April 9, 1988. There are 28 photos that show the library staff in a line passing the books from stocks upstairs to the door downstairs to place in boxes. Windows of the building are covered with sandbags and the record number of the manuscript which had taken off the shelves is shown on the boxes. As has been mentioned in interviews and correspondences the trucks carried the books with a police escort. After the war the manuscripts were returned to the National Library but they were placed in the building which was previously the Cultural Office of Farah Pahlavi, called Niavaran Building. That building was in safer circumstances and belonged to the National Library of Iran in those days. Other resources were returned to the main building of National Library in 30 Tir...