The Universal Reading Foundation launches in Brussels European Authors Day becomes the great fest of literature!
#ReadSeriously round table with the Commissioner for Culture, with the participation of the powerful Polish representation.
Last Friday, the official launch of European Authors' Day, under the slogan #ReadForReal #CleadSeriously, took place in Brussels. The event took the form of a stakeholder roundtable with the participation of Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Equity, Youth, Culture, and Sport.
It's impossible not to notice the important role of the Polish representation. The project was presented by Maria Deskur, president of the Universal Reading Foundation, which coordinates the work of the entire consortium responsible for
for #ReadForReal. The National Library, as the second member of the consortium, was represented by Director Tomasz Makowski, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL), i.e. the head of the world's libraries. The third consortium member, the Federation of European Publishers (FEP), was represented by its current president, Sonia Draga. The European Writers' Council (EWC)
The Writers' Council was represented by board member Claus Ankersen from Denmark, but the current head of the organization is Grażyna Plebanek. Weronika Anna Marczak, author of "Rodzina Monet," and her publisher, Anna Wyżykowska from Muza publishing house, were also invited to the talks. One of the representatives of the European Commission who also spoke was Poland's Maria Podlasek-Ziegler from the Department of Education.
and multilingualism in the Commission.
– We definitely felt part of the European pro-reading family. Commissioner Micallef spoke about how important reading was to him from childhood, and we agreed that it is a critical factor for the future of Europe's economy, innovation, security, and democracy.,
"That bookstart programs that encourage all families to read are important, and that we must nurture the entire ecosystem: from authors, through publishers, booksellers, libraries, schools, homes, but also the involvement of businesses, social services, and health departments. Of the thirteen people at the table, six were Polish. Moreover, the only person who received applause for her statement was Weronika Marczak, who delivered a moving appeal for greater understanding of young people's choices and their reading paths," emphasizes Maria Deskur.
Representatives of the European Bureau of Library Associations also took part in the meeting.
and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA – The European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations), the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the French Cultural Centre Ciclic of the Val-De-Loire Region, the association of pro-reading organizations EURead.
What is European Authors' Day #ReadForReal #CzytajSerio?
The Universal Reading Foundation, together with six consortium members, has been running a large-scale pro-reading project commissioned by Creative Europe since 2025. The program's ambition is to include
43 countries affiliated with Creative Europe, creating an international pro-reading environment
and influencing decision-makers.
The consortium led by FPC includes: the National Library of Poland, the Federation of European Publishers, EURead, the Ciclic Centre of France, the German Stiftung Lesen and the Bulgarian Chetene Foundation.
How to join #Read Seriously 2025?
The project is open to everyone. Simply visit the website to join.
to the action. Organizers encourage:
• Organize an event in your community.
• Invitations from the author, illustrator or translator.
• Participate in a family reading session or team reading challenge.
• Create your own local initiative to promote reading through live meetings.
The goal is not only to promote reading, but also to discover the simple joy that books bring.
The European Authors' Day under the slogan #ReadForReal is also a great opportunity to visit a bookstore
and buy books for friends and family because „"reading brings people together"”, and a good book is the perfect gift: #GoodBookGoodGift.
The celebrations will take place every year from November 11 to December 12 (from November 11 to December 12).
• Visit www.readforreal.com/pl, download free materials, get inspired,
• Sign up for the newsletter and register your event
#ReadForReal #CreadSeriously
contact: [email protected]
