The "2019 World Book Day Fest – Towards a Reading City: Folktaleoscope", co-organised by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) and the Education Bureau (EDB) at SKH Holy Trinity Church Secondary School, was well received today (April 27). About 2 500 school heads and teachers of primary schools and secondary schools as well as students and their parents participated in a series of activities promoting the benefits of reading.
      
     Themed "Folktaleoscope", the Fest aimed at sustaining a reading culture in the city, nurturing students' interest in reading and encouraging them to develop a reading habit from a young age. 
      
     Highlights of the Fest included sharing of reading experiences by young people of different backgrounds, "Folktales Alfresco" at which secondary school students shared the joy of reading folktales through storytelling or drama performances, language game booths, a language orienteering challenge, a book exhibition, "Book Sharing", a pop-up library set up by the Hong Kong Public Library of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, as well as experience sharing sessions by schools, government and non-governmental organisations on the promotion of reading.
      
     In his welcome speech at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the SCOLAR, Mr Lester Huang, said that reading folktales and discovering the messages behind them was a good way to learn about other cultures and ways to communicate with people from different backgrounds.  He added that reading extensively, which is a fun-filled journey, could broaden our perspectives and enrich our understanding of the world. 

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, also shared his experience as a reader in his opening speech. He said that the EDB has been proactively promoting reading in secondary and primary schools as well as kindergartens through diverse and multi-pronged approaches, while joining with all stakeholders to promote a reading culture across the community and build Hong Kong into a reading city.
      
     SCOLAR and the EDB will continue to collaborate with schools, parents and community partners to promote reading in and beyond schools, fostering a sustainable reading atmosphere and culture in the city.

Ends/Saturday, April 27, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:25

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