The 22nd Shenzhen Reading Month officially commenced at the Shenzhen Book City CBD Store in Futian District yesterday, kicking off over 1,400 reading and cultural activities for an annual literary feast that the citizens have been eagerly anticipating.

This year’s reading month, themed “Inspiring a New Vision,” includes activities in three main sections: “Culture Awakening,” “Idea Xchange,” and “Readers Carnival,” as well as subvenues set up throughout the city for the first time.

Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong expressed his hopes at the launch ceremony that this year’s Shenzhen Reading Month would be more enjoyable, tasteful and closer to the city’s bibliophiles with everyone’s participation and support.

Qin expected the general public to consciously take reading as a life attitude and spiritual pursuit, actively participate in the reading month’s various activities, read more books, read good books and be adept at reading books.

At the launch ceremony, 12 experts were appointed as members of a committee tasked with promoting reading among the public, and the first batch of 10 demonstration sites of reading promotion branches in Shenzhen’s internet industry were awarded.

The over-1,400 activities held during the reading month will focus on science popularization, ecological museums, geographical discovery, interstellar exploration, future creation, and science fiction and imagination.

In addition to the three themed sections, a special event in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China’s founding will also be held to showcase the Party’s glorious history to the general public.

The reading month will also integrate the cultural resources within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and carry out a series of intercity reading activities such as book fairs and literary salons.

Shenzhen pioneered the initiation of reading month in China in 2000 and has been endeavoring to become the country’s model for the promotion of reading. After more than two decades’ development, Shenzhen Reading Month has become an influential reading carnival with its large number of participants.