THE 19th Shenzhen Reading Month will commence at the South Area of Shenzhen Book City CBD Store at 10 a.m. Saturday, offering citizens a total of 769 themed activities, sznews.com reported Monday.

Shenzhen Reading Month was initiated in 2000 and has been successfully held for 18 consecutive years.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, this year’s Reading Month aims to highlight the cultural innovation and vitality of Shenzhen as a city of reform and opening up and a city of readers. It also focuses on depicting the city’s development from the perspective of reading.

The key activities during Reading Month are divided into 10 major sections and include 22 innovative activities. Famous writers and scholars, such as Bai Yansong, Zhou Guoping and Xue Zhaofeng, have also been invited to share their writing and reading experiences.

Reading Month will adhere to the mission of inheriting and carrying forward China’s excellent traditional culture. There are seven major activities in the section themed, “Promote Traditions,” a significant increase compared to last year.

Other highlights include a letter-themed cultural festival, the “Internet +” section promoting digital reading, an online platform for assessing children’s reading ability and the release of an annual digital reading report.

This year’s Reading Month will also provide readers with activities specifically designed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation regarding reading resources in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Meanwhile, the famous French writer Olivier Guez has been invited to give lectures on his new book, “La Disparition de Josef Mengele.”

Following last year’s selection of the best small bookstore, the city’s best small libraries will be selected this year, in a bid to encourage grass-roots libraries to beautify their reading spaces and optimize reading services to provide both sensory and spiritual enjoyment for readers.

(Zhang Yu)