The Government is spending 120 million forints (EUR 390,000) on programmes and tenders designed to encourage young people to read, Minister of State for Culture János Halász said at a press conference on Thursday.

He said that reading, and through it, literacy, are contributing factors to economic growth but reading can only become popular for the young generation if it offers them real experiences. The program will be a joint effort by government organisations and NGOs.

Mr. Halász said different aspects of the program will promote classical and contemporary literature, encourage underprivileged children to read, and may be a means of nurturing young talents.

One such initiative encourages children from the 8-16 year age group to share their reading experience via the Internet, e.g. social media, blogs or file sharing. The Hungarian Reading Association is also launching several programmes, within the framework of which volunteers will read books to underprivileged children and teachers will receive help with methodology.

The Petőfi Literary Museum (PIM) is often involved in drives to promote reading, including a recent book exchange and charity book collection drive, in addition to which will announce a tender for three-minute adverts by young people to promote reading and will also open a thought-provoking exhibition entitled “Women who read are dangerous?” on 1 April.

(Ministry of Human Resources)