Art and Culture

The Ministry of Culture has announced the launch of the National Month of Reading 2026, to take place throughout March, in alignment with the UAE’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Family under the theme “Growing in Unity.”

The initiative aims to strengthen the role of the family in fostering a love of reading among children while reinforcing authentic Emirati values and national identity.

Family at the Heart of Reading Culture

His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, said the National Month of Reading celebrates the value of knowledge and its role in strengthening national identity.

He emphasised that embedding reading habits within the family supports the intergenerational transmission of cultural and intellectual heritage, builds awareness of the values guiding Emirati society, and preserves cultural cohesion. Reading, he noted, plays a critical role in nurturing a conscious generation capable of contributing positively to community development and shaping the nation’s future.

‘Reading Retreat’ Marks Key Milestones

A central highlight of the initiative is the Reading Retreat, which will bring together approximately 30 federal and local entities, public benefit organisations, and representatives from the cultural and education sectors.

The retreat coincides with the 10th anniversary of the declaration of the Year of Reading (2016) and the issuance of the UAE’s landmark Reading Law. Discussions will focus on:

1. Challenges in implementing the Reading Law

2. Proposed initiatives to address these challenges

3. Findings from the UAE National Reading Index 2025 survey

4. Methodologies for future index development

5. UAE achievements in reading from 2016 to 2026

Participants will also develop long-term strategic initiatives for 2026–2036 as part of the upcoming National Reading Plan.

Nationwide Activities Across Cultural Centres

Throughout March, the Ministry will organise a broad range of activities and events at its Cultural and Creative Centres across the UAE. These programmes aim to cultivate reading habits among all segments of society and strengthen engagement with books and knowledge.

The National Month of Reading remains one of the Ministry’s flagship cultural initiatives and forms part of its broader strategy to build a strong science and knowledge ecosystem.

Strengthening Reading in Schools

Another key pillar supporting this objective is the National Framework for Emirati Cultural Activities in Schools, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The framework targets students from kindergarten to Cycle 3 in both public and private schools, integrating cultural engagement and reading into educational pathways.

A Decade of Reading Transformation

Since 2016, the UAE has implemented major measures to establish reading as an accessible right for all. These include the National Strategy for Reading 2016–2026, which encompasses 30 national directives across education, health, culture, community development, media and content sectors.

The issuance of the Reading Law — the first of its kind in the region — established legislative frameworks and executive programmes, clearly defining government responsibilities to embed reading as a sustainable national value.

With the launch of the National Month of Reading 2026, the Ministry of Culture continues its commitment to positioning reading at the centre of family life, cultural identity and national development.

• Tags
• #Business
• #Magazine
• #Lifestyle