Debrecen4U
August 29, 2025
We can celebrate reading with the Friends of the Book for three days
World Reading Day is September 8. On the occasion of this important day, the Friends of the Book Network is hosting a three-day series of free programs for book and reading lovers. Deputy Mayor István Puskás, as well as Nóra Erdei and Judit Új, the organizers of the event, reported on the details of the event on August 28, 2025, at the Karakter 1517 Bookstore and Café.
On November 17, 1965, UNESCO designated September 8 as the International World Reading Day, which has been celebrated every year since 1966. The aim of the initiative is to draw attention to the importance of literacy, as literacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of learning.
István Puskás recalled that the creation of the Friends of the Book Network was conceived from the desire to have a self-organizing platform that would address and invite the people of Debrecen who are committed to books, literature, and reading to cooperate. He added that the symbolic actor or representative of the city’s cultural life is the book itself, as the book culture and the book industry have a centuries-old tradition in the city.
On the occasion of World Reading Day, the Friends of the Book Network, which has nearly seventy members, organized the Friends of Books Day for the first time last year. Given the great interest, this year the network members will fill not only one but three days with programs. The aim of the Book Weekend, taking place between September 4 and 6, and the Friends of Books Day on September 6, is for the members of the network—schools, libraries, bookstores, cultural institutions, civil organizations, local history researchers, and restaurants—to introduce themselves to the general public, show why reading is good, and present what book and literary activities they offer to those interested throughout the year. The network is also preparing exciting programs specially organized for this occasion: there will be library tours, guided walks, a visit to a printing house, bibliotherapy sessions, storytelling, craft activities, a slam poetry evening, a podium discussion, and concerts.
The Friends of the Book Network was established in the spring of 2022. The organization, established at the initiative of the Debrecen municipality, aims to bring together those local actors who, in addition to their everyday activities, promote and support the culture of books and literature in any way, and it is also important for them that the joy of reading is a shared experience for as many citizens of Debrecen as possible. In addition to the Debrecen members, partners from Hortobágy and Nagyvárad have now also joined.
Judit Új said that nearly 40 programs will be implemented in three days. It was stated that this year’s programs will be implemented with the support of HUF 2.5 million from the local government, which the members themselves were able to decide how to use. The Friends of the Book announced a competition among its members for the use of the grant, and the winners will present themselves to the general public during the Book Weekend and the Friends of Books Day between September 4 and 6, through various book and literary programs, promoting the importance of books and reading.
Nóra Erdei highlighted that addressing different generations was a key goal in compiling the programs this year as well. In this spirit, young children, adolescents, young adults, and the elderly can all find an interesting program for them in the offer. As she said, families with young children can also enjoy interactive storytelling, book craft activities, and storytelling performances. An exciting program for both young and old is promised by literary and art therapy sessions, a book club picnic, a cellar poetry reading, a reading flashmob, and city walks, during which you can learn about the theater history of Debrecen and the literary history curiosities of the Memorial Garden, among other things.
Those interested will also be able to take part in unusual guided tours: there will be an opportunity to learn more about the nearly five hundred-year-old history, techniques, and tools of book printing in Debrecen at the Alföldi Printing House; take a look behind the scenes of the University and the National Library of the University of Debrecen and the Reading Room of the Reformed Library of Debrecen; and visit the 101-year-old Architectural Archive–Plans Library and the Csokonai Theatre building, which is 160 years old this year.
The Friends of Books Day will also feature children’s book illustrations with the participation of writers, graphic designers, and illustrators, and there will be opportunities to take book selfies and play various book games, but there will also be plenty of reading material, which can be browsed either on-site, sitting in the grass, or at home. The musical accompaniment will be provided by the Kelet Brass Band, the Lituus flute players, and the Pipacs Band. The event will also close this year with a special slam poetry evening, which will once again be hosted by an unusual venue, the roof terrace of the Kölcsey Center.
More information can be found about the Book Weekend programs taking place between September 4 and 6 HERE and about the Book Friends Day programs on September 6 HERE.
The programs are free to attend.
Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu
