Gov’t launches 2026 Reading Week with expanded cultural activities across the city

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) launched “Macao Just Read – National Reading Campaign Week 2026” on Thursday, promoting 10 minutes of daily reading through more than 100 activities, including new “10-Minute Reading Corners” and collaborations across the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Unveiled at a 10 a.m. ceremony in the Macau Cultural Centre’s Small Theatre, the program aligns with the mainland’s 15th Five-Year Plan. It aims to brand Macau as a “City of Reading” and bolster public cultural services, IC president Deland Leong said.

Led by the IC alongside the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) and the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), the initiative fosters lifelong reading habits through enhanced library facilities, targeted activities, and community outreach.

“This year’s National Reading Activity Week […] advocates ‘10 minutes of reading’ every day, during which more than 100 diverse reading activities will be launched,” Leong said. The effort includes expanded demonstration sites with partner departments.

The citywide Reading Week extends beyond Macau’s borders by establishing “reading points” in Hengqin’s Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, along with cross-border initiatives.

Leong noted, “The IC will join forces with seven major cities, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Hong Kong, Nanning and Haikou, to hold a ‘half-hour reading together’ activity.”

“Reading promotion is not only a cultural work, but also an important way to improve the city’s humanistic literacy and enhance citizens’ sense of cultural gain and well-being,” she added.

To address residents’ reading needs across all age groups, the IC will host book exchanges, journal bestsellers, parent-child activities, reading experiences, book exhibitions and lectures at the Macau Cultural Centre and Plaza this weekend.

Central Library update

Regarding the new Central Library, Leong said construction is progressing smoothly, with basement works completed late last year and superstructure work starting in March 2026. Completion is expected in 2028.

She described progress as proceeding in an “orderly manner” as planned. The four-storey library, designed by Dutch firm Mecanoo, will cater to all age groups with an open lobby, lounge, light dining area, activity spaces and a multifunctional lecture hall. Dedicated zones will serve children, teens, adults and seniors.

Further details remain under refinement.

On hiring practices for cultural activities, Leong assured the media of strict oversight for outsourced events. She said all official events and tendered projects explicitly require the use of legally employed Macau workers in contracts, supported by follow-up mechanisms. She added that no cases of illegal employment of undocumented workers have been found so far, and authorities will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Simple stage in outdoor venue for local arts

On the sidelines of the Reading Week launch, the IC president also addressed plans to optimize Macau’s outdoor performance area. She said the venue has hosted temporary attractions since March, including a children’s mini non-motorized kart track and a three-on-three basketball court.

“We plan to set up an area there, with a simpler stage, so that local community groups, artists, or troupes can make better use of it and hold performances there. We hope that by outsourcing the operation of the entire venue in the future, we can better meet market needs and have more flexibility,” Leong said.

Leong noted that another performance is scheduled at the venue for June 2, with applications already received by an organization.

The bureau also said it plans to put the venue’s operation out to public tender in the second half of 2026 to enhance flexibility.