1 Art & Literary Journal Spring 2012 Edition American ... - AUK

Visiting the Book Fair in Wonderland
Gholam Reza Vatandoust
Wonderland is truly an unforgettable land of miracles. Miracles are all around you; in thin
air and up for grabs. Thousands of souls wake up daily in search of divine intervention.
The past year was the year of numerous miracles. Miracles are increasingly in high
demand, particularly when calamities are on the rise. There is this general belief that
adversities will lend support for divine interventions. Among the devout and the dedicated,
miracles are proof of His eminent return, bringing with him what all God-fearing souls
yearn for – eternal bliss and eternal salvation. Every day is a new day; full of blessings,
excitement and magic. A simple visit to the Book Fair is a reflection of that magic.
Overwhelmed with joy, one is a witness to what one never sees elsewhere in the universe.
It is obvious that citizens of Wonderland must appreciate books immensely. This is evident
from its numerous visitors; from the newly born lying peacefully in their cribs to the old and
seasoned veterans carted around in wheelchairs. In one particular case, the visitor was an
incapacitated soul on a stretcher, almost unconscious; yet, he, too, was enjoying the free ride.
For the curious, the International Book Fair is an amazing site to watch. It is overwhelmingly
crowded. Ice cream parlors are everywhere. Loyal soldiers of the Revolution remind the
young, the old and the wild that they are now on holy turf. Their mission is to purview books
rather than size each other up.
It is easy to tell that citizens of wonderland appreciate ancient and dilapidated buildings;
reminiscent of old and historical archeological sites. The location of the fairgrounds itself
is ample proof. Evidence of deterioration lies everywhere including in the outhouses. One
cannot help but feel nostalgic about this great land of wonders, with its remarkable people,
its great history, its glorious past, and its shining future.
Interestingly, people seem to have a shared view of books. Some booths have few spectators,
while others have numerous. Of course, kiosks run by women have far more visitors than
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