Caravan
Caravan is an Iranian publishing house known for publishing Paulo Coelho's works in Persian and for its fiction, nonfiction, literary, and reference titles.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Caravan, also known as Caravan Publishing House or Caravan Books, is an Iranian publishing house established in 1997. The company operates in Persian-language publishing and has developed a catalogue spanning fiction, nonfiction, literary criticism, mythology, psychology, screenplays, poetry, correspondence, commemorative works, reference books, and pocket editions. Its strongest international association is with Brazilian author Paulo Coelho: Caravan is identified as the exclusive publisher of Coelho's books in Persian and in Iran. This relationship made the house particularly visible among Iranian readers of translated international fiction. A notable moment in Caravan's history came in 2000, when the publisher invited Paulo Coelho to Iran. The visit was described as historically significant because he was reportedly the first non-Muslim author to visit the country after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, although the claim is presented as an allegation rather than an independently established fact. The event reflected Caravan's role not only as a publisher but also as a cultural intermediary connecting Iranian readers and international literary figures. Caravan also participated in literary institution-building. Reference material associated with the company states that it presented the Paulo Coelho Literary Award and, in the following year, worked with Andishesazan Publishing House to establish the Yaldaa Literary Award, dedicated to fiction and literary criticism. The available source material gives conflicting chronology for the Paulo Coelho Literary Award, mentioning 1991 despite Caravan's stated 1997 establishment; that date is therefore not treated as a reliable founding-era milestone here. The publisher faced state censorship in 2005, when many of its books were banned by the Iranian government. Paulo Coelho's novel The Zahir was specifically identified among the affected titles. The episode illustrates the regulatory and political constraints faced by Iranian publishers handling foreign literature and other works considered sensitive by authorities. In 2006, Arash Hejazi, identified as Caravan's chief editor, was nominated for the International Publishers Association Prize for Freedom of Speech. The nomination connected the publishing house with international concerns about literary freedom and freedom of expression. Publicly available reference material does not provide sufficient information to establish Caravan's current ownership, management, financial condition, headquarters city, website, or present operating status. Accordingly, these fields remain unspecified rather than inferred.
History
Caravan Publishing House was established in Iran in 1997. It became a Persian-language publisher with a catalogue covering both literary and general-interest categories, including fiction, nonfiction, criticism, mythology, psychology, screenplays, poetry, correspondence, commemorative books, reference works, and compact pocket editions. The range indicates a publisher positioned across literary culture rather than limited to a single genre or commercial format. The house's most distinctive publishing relationship has been its association with Paulo Coelho. Caravan is described as the sole publisher of Coelho's books in Persian and in Iran, giving it an important role in making one of the most widely read contemporary international authors available to Persian-speaking readers. In 2000, Caravan invited Coelho to Iran. The visit was presented as historically unusual and was alleged to have been the first visit by a non-Muslim author after the Islamic Revolution, although the source does not establish that claim as definitive historical fact. Caravan also supported literary activity beyond routine book publication. Reference material states that it presented the Paulo Coelho Literary Award and later collaborated with Andishesazan Publishing House to establish the Yaldaa Literary Award for fiction and literary criticism. The chronology attached to the Paulo Coelho award is inconsistent with Caravan's stated 1997 founding date, so the precise year is not included as an established milestone. The publisher encountered censorship pressure in 2005. Iranian authorities banned many of Caravan's books, including The Zahir, a Paulo Coelho novel. The episode was consequential for the publisher because it affected titles central to its best-known international-author programme and demonstrated the limits placed on literary translation and distribution in Iran. In 2006, Caravan chief editor Arash Hejazi was nominated for the International Publishers Association Prize for Freedom of Speech. The nomination placed the publishing house in an international discussion about publishing rights and freedom of expression. Beyond these events, the available reference material does not document Caravan's ownership structure, current leadership, financial performance, headquarters city, digital operations, or present status. Those details remain unknown.
- 2006
Arash Hejazi nominated for freedom-of-speech prize
[1]Caravan chief editor Arash Hejazi was nominated for the International Publishers Association Prize for Freedom of Speech.
- 2005
Caravan books banned by Iranian authorities
[1]The Iranian government banned many Caravan titles, including Paulo Coelho's The Zahir.
- 2000
Paulo Coelho visits Iran at Caravan's invitation
[1]Caravan invited Paulo Coelho to Iran. The visit was described as historically significant, although the claim that he was the first non-Muslim author to visit Iran after the Islamic Revolution is reported as an allegation.
- 1997
Caravan Publishing House established
[1]Caravan Publishing House was established in Iran and began building a Persian-language catalogue across fiction, nonfiction, literary, and reference categories.
Products and positioning
A Persian-language literary publisher and cultural intermediary with a broad fiction and nonfiction catalogue, especially associated with Paulo Coelho's works and literary awards.
Translated fiction
Paulo Coelho books in Persian
Caravan is identified as the sole publisher of Paulo Coelho's books in Persian and in Iran. This catalogue relationship is the publisher's most prominent documented offering and includes internationally known literary fiction translated for Iranian readers.
Translated novel
The Zahir
The Zahir is a Paulo Coelho novel specifically associated with Caravan's catalogue and with the 2005 government ban affecting many of the publisher's books. The available reference does not provide edition, print-run, or sales information.
Books · 1997
Caravan general catalogue
Beyond Paulo Coelho, Caravan has published fiction and nonfiction in areas including criticism, mythology, psychology, screenplays, poetry, correspondence, commemorative works, reference publishing, and pocket books.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2000Paulo Coelho Iran visit
Iran
Caravan invited Paulo Coelho to Iran as part of its relationship with the author and his Persian-language publishing programme.
Outcome. The visit increased the cultural visibility of Caravan's connection with Coelho, although the source provides no measurable commercial outcome.
Brand decisions
2005
Respond to publication bansOtherBackground
Many Caravan books, including The Zahir, were banned by the Iranian government.
Action taken
The source records the bans but does not document a specific corporate response.
Aftermath
The restrictions disrupted access to affected titles and became the major documented regulatory controversy in Caravan's history.
2000
Invite Paulo Coelho to IranStrategyBackground
Caravan's exclusive Persian-language publishing relationship with Paulo Coelho created a basis for direct cultural engagement with the author.
Action taken
The publisher invited Coelho to visit Iran.
Aftermath
The visit became a notable part of Caravan's public history and international literary profile.
Recent events
- 2006
Arash Hejazi nominated for International Publishers Association freedom-of-speech prize[1]
Other
Arash Hejazi, Caravan's chief editor, was nominated for the International Publishers Association Prize for Freedom of Speech.
- 2000
Caravan invites Paulo Coelho to Iran[1]
Campaign · Other
Caravan invited Brazilian author Paulo Coelho to Iran. The visit was described as potentially the first visit by a non-Muslim author to the country after the Islamic Revolution, though that characterization is reported as an allegation.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/caravan · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled