Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

A TOTAL of 290 reading and cultural events, including 52 key themed activities, will be organized and presented to citizens at the 21st Shenzhen Reading Month, a large-scale literary festival that takes place every year in November.

The annual reading extravaganza will be officially launched Tuesday in the multifunctional hall of Area B of Civic Center in Futian District, according to a press conference yesterday.

The 2nd Shenzhen Book Fair will also be held concurrently from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6. The main venue will be located in the north area of the newly renovated Shenzhen Book City CBD Store and the adjoining square.

The 52 key themed activities include 34 typical activities and 18 innovative activities to be held across the city. For the first time, the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone will join the Shenzhen Reading Month, said Qiu Gan, deputy director of the Shenzhen Reading Month Organizing Committee Office.

As the guest of honor publisher at this year’s reading month, CITIC Press Group will organize and carry out more than 50 cultural activities to create a “knowledge carnival” for bibliophiles.

Celebrities and writers such as Kang Hui, Xie Mian, Chi Zijian, Liu Zhenyun, Ma Boyong, Liu Xinwu, Jiang Nan, Liu Tong, Jiang Fangzhou, Qin Hao, Wu Jun and Zhu Yong will be invited to the Shenzhen Reading Month to have close interaction with readers.

The Reading Month has also launched the WeChat miniprogram “Shenzhen Reading Month,” creating an online platform integrating news information, book recommendations, appointment registration, livestreaming services, ticket application and other functions.

In order to improve the coverage of digital reading, the 21st Shenzhen Reading Month will launch new reading activities with famous Internet companies including Ximalaya, Tencent and Sina.

Additionally, the development plan of Shenzhen Reading Month (2021-2030) was officially released at the press conference yesterday.

According to the plan, by 2030, the Shenzhen Reading Month will be built into a reading brand with regional influence in the world. It will promote Shenzhen to become an international reading and cultural exchange center as well as a UNESCO World Book Capital City.