READ. for Real

📚 How to become a HUB?

A HUB is a national coordinating organisation leading the movement locally - connecting readers, authors, educators, libraries, and cultural institutions to create meaningful change through reading.

As a HUB, you can:
▪ Organise Author Tour events
▪ Promote nationally
▪ Support local organisers
▪ Take part in international workshops and networking
▪ Receive promotional materials, Welcome Packs, and co-funded author visits

Our ambition is to create a strong, recognisable BRAND together - one that helps local authorities and decision-makers understand the real power of reading, creativity, and culture.

Want to become a HUB in your country? 👉 Learn more in the Toolkit and join us:
https://tinyurl.com/mw6fwfjt

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A library card might be one of the best gifts we can give a child 📚

Libraries open the door to stories, knowledge, imagination and discovery — all for free. Let children wander through the shelves, pick books that spark their curiosity and create their own reading adventures.

Reading together starts with access to books. And libraries are full of them.

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Reading lies at the heart of today’s global challenges.
Today Europe truly needs reading - it develops innovative and resilient minds, supports emotional well-being, strengthens education, and builds the communication skills essential for democracy and social resilience in the age of AI.

The conference, held as part of the , brought together inspiring voices committed to literacy, creativity, and humanity-centered education.

We invite you to watch the discussion panels and hear from outstanding experts who shared their knowledge and insights: https://youtube.com/live/8IDCnp6Yks0?feature=share

As organisers, we remain committed to strengthening professional networks and highlighting the vital role of literacy for our shared future: Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania, EURead, Stiftung Lesen, Federation of European Publishers, Ciclic, Biblioteka Narodowa, Фондация Четене / Reading Foundation Bulgaria

- let's celebrate together this fall!

There is no democracy without literacy.

At the “Literacy for Democracy” conference in Warsaw, more than 200 stakeholders came together to explore how stronger literacy can boost both democratic participation and Europe’s competitiveness.

From supporting parents and caregivers to reinforcing literacy policies and tackling the decline in reading habits, the two-day workshop laid the groundwork for the EU Literacy Coalition, set to launch in 2026 under the Union for Skills / Action Plan on Basic Skills.

📅 Save the date: From 11 November to 12 December, celebrations will take place across Europe as part of European Authors Day.

Learn more: link.europa.eu/H7ywp4

Today in Warsaw, the conference is taking place - putting reading at the very heart of today’s global challenges!

🟠 The event brings together experts from across Europe to explore how literacy shapes democracy, society, and our shared future.

🟣 is part of the project, dedicated to fostering creativity and literacy as essential tools for keeping Europe human.

👉 Join the conversation and follow the conference online via the live stream available here (English): https://youtube.com/live/8IDCnp6Yks0?feature=share

Reading with your child doesn’t need a perfect setting or a fixed routine. It can happen in the quiet of the morning before the day begins, in the middle of a busy afternoon, or as a calming bedtime ritual. It fits into waiting rooms, park benches, bus rides, and every small pause in between.

These everyday moments are powerful opportunities to build connection, language, and imagination. A book doesn’t ask for ideal conditions — just a little attention and shared time.

So keep a book close. Because every moment can become a reading moment.

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Building a child’s reading habit begins with small, intentional choices, such as giving books as gifts! Books are not only thoughtful presents, but also meaningful tools that support a child’s intellectual and emotional development.

Did you know: Research shows that children who own even a small number of books are more likely to develop strong reading habits and a lasting interest in literature!

By gradually building a home library, you create an environment that fosters curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong engagement with reading. It is also worth encouraging family members and friends to consider books as appropriate and enriching gifts.

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Books have the power to connect us across borders, languages, and cultures. Let every day be a book day!

Let’s celebrate stories that travel far beyond the places they were written, stories that help us understand each other a little better, wherever we are.
Reading is one of the simplest and strongest ways to build bridges in today’s world.

Which title by your favourite author should the world discover on the ? Leave your recommendations in the comments and let’s create a shared reading list together!

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Let’s make reading together more meaningful 📚 Ask your child questions about the story throughout the reading, not just at the end. This turns reading into an active, interactive experience that supports comprehension and engagement.

Encourage your child to talk about the illustrations — what details they notice, what emotions they see, and how the images connect to the text. Visual interpretation is a key part of early literacy.

Invite prediction: ask what might happen next and why. This helps develop reasoning skills and a deeper understanding of narrative structure.
Give your child time to respond. Longer pauses allow for thinking, processing language, and forming more thoughtful answers. Silence is part of the learning process.

Through , we encourage children to enjoy books and discover the joy of reading — building a connection with stories that begins early and can stay with them for life.

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A few inspiring days at the Bologna Book Fair are behind us 📚

was mentioned in one of the panels about promoting books among boys. Engaging children and youth in reading is our mission, because we know that Europe really needs reading today!

This is exactly why we create this project. We want to invite people to read, help them discover literature and its creators, and show that reading is for everyone. Our goal is simple — to make books a natural, everyday part of life.

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Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania Biblioteka Narodowa Stiftung Lesen Ciclic EURead Federation of European Publishers Фондация Четене / Reading Foundation Bulgaria Instytut Książki Stichting Lezen Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka / National Library of Latvia Krajina čitateľov

Become a National Hub for 2026

After a powerful first edition, we’re now building the next chapter of European Authors Day

We’re looking for organisations across Europe ready to take the lead as National Hubs. As a Hub, you will:
▪ shape how your country celebrates reading
▪ bring together local partners and initiatives
▪ become part of a strong European network
▪ contribute to a real change in reading culture

With our tools, support and international visibility, you won’t be doing it alone.
This is your chance to shape how your country celebrates reading.

👉 Learn more on how to get involved and join us: https://www.readforreal.com/

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