City kicks off 2026 National Reading Week
2026-04-20 11:04:44
By Chen Si.
The launching ceremony for Yichang's 2026 National Reading Week took place in Zigui County on April 19. More than 150 reading enthusiasts attended the event at the hometown of the renowned ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan.
The launching ceremony for Yichang's 2026 National Reading Week took place in Zigui County on April 19. More than 150 reading enthusiasts attended the event at the hometown of the renowned ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan.
The launching ceremony of Yichang 2026 National Reading Week. Photo by Zhou ShiweiThe event showcased various forms of expression, including reading sessions, folk storytelling, music, poetry and dance performances.
During the children's First Writing Ceremony, 10 children paid tribute to Qu Yuan, a celebrated poet and statesman from the State of Chu, born in 340 BC in present-day Yichang. Their parents applied cinnabar dots on their foreheads, symbolizing the awakening of wisdom.
The head of Zigui Qu Yuan Culture Research Institute delivers a speech on Qu Yuan's legacy. Photo by Zhou ShiweiThe Qu Yuan Culture Research Institute of Zigui presented Picture Book of Chuci for Children to local children. "Receiving reading enlightenment in the hometown of Qu Yuan is the best gift for children's growth," said parent Wang Baiyu.
The event featured mobile library vehicles, paper-cutting demonstrations, book-themed games, and other activities that attracted many visitors.
Attendees enjoyed an immersive reading experience, appreciating calligraphy and paintings, reciting verses from Chuci, exploring new books, and engaging with intangible cultural heritage.
Parents read books with their child. Photo by Zhou Shiwei
The event raised awareness of copyright protection, encouraging the public to resist piracy and respect original works.
In recent years, Zigui has developed a broad network of reading activities, including rural libraries, village reading corners, campus reading spaces, and city study rooms.
Additionally, services such as digital reading, mobile book lending, and book exchanges have made reading accessible to residents at any time.
A child reads. Photo by Zhou ShiweiLi Caiyun, Jia Jinhua, Han Lu also contributed to this story
