Initiative for the popularisation of book reading in Poland.
The Krakow Festival Office, operator of the Krakow UNESCO City of Literature Programme, is a member of the Reading Poland initiative.
WHO
We are an informal coalition of individuals, institutions and companies united by the awareness that the future of Poland depends on how much we can raise the readership level.
DREAM
We want every child (and then adult) in Poland to be able to fulfil their full potential. Numerous studies confirm that the private activity of reading books translates into better life opportunities for the individual and, consequently, enormous social benefits: an increase in the number of citizens participating in social and economic life and an improvement of the country’s scientific, economic and innovative potential.
ACTION
Since 2021, we have worked together on a workshop basis with a focus on including voices from different parts of Poland, sectors and hierarchy levels of our organisations. We develop ideas for actions that, if implemented, will result in the desired change – they will contribute to the popularisation of reading. We are working on a strategy for universal reading and ideas for how the book can function in the school, in the community and in the company.
PROFESSIONALISM
We believe that change is possible. We know that it requires broad co-operation, wise thinking and operational efficiency. Therefore, we conduct discussions in a structured and constructive way. We look for substantially justified solutions and those that will have the greatest impact because they address the core of the problem.
PARTICIPANTS
The work of the Reading Poland initiative involves:
Institutions: National Library, National Cultural Centre, Book Institute, Ministry of Education and Science, Gdynia Cultural Centre, Wroclaw House of Literature, KFO, Goyki 3 Art Incubator;
Local governments and self-governing organisations: Gdansk, Krakow, Strumień, Warsaw, Wrocław, Zakopane, Union of Polish Metropolises, Reading Agglomeration;
Municipal Public Libraries: MBP Zabrze, MBP Wrocław, MBP Choszczno, MBP Dąbrowa Górnicza;
Business: Mamania Publishing House, Nowa Era Publishing House, Mamy To bookshop; Lubimyczytac.pl;
Foundations and Associations: Universal Reading Foundation, CzasDzieci, Edico, Centre for Civic Education, Capital of Polish Language Festival, School of Education of the University of Warsaw and the Polish–American Freedom Foundation, Polish Chamber of Books, Association of Literary Translators;
Teacher Training Centres: Regional Methodological and Educational Centre Metis, Educational Psychology, Stanisław Ligoń Primary School no. 33 with Bilingual Units in Katowice.
The work of the Reading Poland initiative is co-ordinated by: the Universal Reading Foundation, the Polish Chamber of Books, the Wroclaw House of Literature | Wroclaw UNESCO City of Literature and KFO | Krakow UNESCO City of Literature.
