28th Macao Book Carnival celebrates reading and culture

The Macao Book Carnival opened Friday at the Polytechnic University’s Multi-Sport Pavilion. The annual event invites book lovers and families to explore nearly 30,000 titles in Chinese, English, and Portuguese.

The carnival, organized by the Macao Association of Literacy Promotion and co-hosted by the university, runs through July 13. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free.

Chan Im Wa, president of the Macao Association of Literacy Promotion, highlighted the city’s important role in East Asian history and culture during Friday’s opening ceremony – reflecting this year’s theme, “East Asian Culture is the Brilliance of the World.”

Chan also encouraged local writers to expand their perspectives and connect with Chinese-language readers around the globe.

According to the organizers, around 30 events are scheduled during the course of the carnival, including book launches, author signings, concerts, lectures on intangible cultural heritage, magic shows, and parent-child workshops.

Local residents expressed strong enthusiasm for the annual event. One attendee, identified by the surname Chen, told Xinhua, “Reading allows people to slow down in today’s fast-paced life and spend more time on reflection and deeper thinking.”

A recent Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) survey shows growing use of public libraries and e-reading in Macau: 73% of respondents have used library services, 80% had read books in the past year, and nearly 70% regularly read e-books or other digital materials.

The Macau government has launched several initiatives to promote a reading culture. These include the Annual Macao Book Carnival, Macao Library Week, book exchanges, pop-up libraries, and the Young Children Reading Programme – which distributes “reading packs” to local young children to encourage early literacy.

Plans are underway to build a new four-story Central Library across the street from the current one in Tap Seac Square. The new library will be located on the site of the former Hotel Estoril.