On December 13, the National Library in Warsaw hosted the flagship Polish event of the European Day of Authors, held under the international slogan #ReadForReal (Polish: Czytaj.Serio!). This initiative, which ran from November 11 to December 12, spanned 34 countries. Each participating nation organized its own hub and a flagship event as part of the international Authors Tour—a series of meetings where authors traveled across borders to connect with readers throughout Europe.
The Polish stop on this literary journey was Warsaw, featuring special guest Thomas Brunstrøm, the Danish author of the bestselling children's book series "Sally's Dad" (Tata Oli). The event—centered around the festive title "Christmas with Sally's Dad"—drew a large crowd of children, parents, and guardians, confirming the immense popularity of a character known for humor and heart-warming family stories.
The event featured translator Ewa Piotrowska, and the discussion with the author was moderated by Anna Bukowska. The program included: • An engaging talk with the author and joint readings of book excerpts; • An autograph and photo session; • Creative workshops where young participants crafted unique #ReadForReal Christmas postcards; • A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the beloved series. Participants had the chance to ask the author questions and experience firsthand how inspiring a live meeting with a creator can be. Additionally, the guests and attendees took part in a specially organized guided tour of the National Library building.
The "Sally's Dad" series, which has sold over 3 million copies in Denmark, is winning the hearts of Polish readers thanks to Wydawnictwo Dwukropek, which co-organized the event and supports the #ReadForReal project. The gathering at the National Library served as vivid proof that children's literature can unite generations and build bridges between cultures, while encounters with creators help young readers discover and develop their lifelong passion for books.
European Day of Authors: A Celebration of Literature! #ReadForReal is a European initiative co-funded by the Creative Europe program. It is implemented by a consortium of seven organizations from several countries, led by the Universal Reading Foundation (URF). The project’s goal is to promote reading for pleasure, showing that books are a true adventure. Nothing encourages reading more than personal contact with the author of a favorite book.
The project connects young readers with writers from across Europe, inviting them into schools, libraries, and cultural institutions.
The organizers of the Polish event were the Universal Reading Foundation, the National Library of Poland, and Wydawnictwo Dwukropek. The #ReadForReal project is co-funded by the Creative Europe program. #ReadForReal #ReadingPoland
