February 14 is International Book Giving Day, a special holiday that reminds us of the value of reading, the power of books, and the importance of free access to knowledge for everyone, especially children. This day brings together millions of people in different countries around a simple but extremely important idea: to give books to those who need them and to instill a love of reading from an early age.
On this occasion, Donetsk region is launching a regional campaign called “Give a Child Reading,” which will last throughout 2026. All local communities in the region are invited to participate.
The campaign is aimed at children of different age groups and aims to provide access to high-quality Ukrainian-language literature, support interest in books and reading, and promote the implementation of the Reading Development Strategy. An important task of the initiative is to foster a positive attitude towards reading as a daily family practice that brings the family together, contributes to the child's development, and strengthens cultural identity.
In today's difficult conditions, books are not only a source of knowledge, but also a space of safety, emotional support, and inner peace for children. Reading helps reduce stress, open up new worlds, and develop imagination and critical thinking.
We invite local communities, cultural and educational institutions, public organizations, patrons, and all those who care to join the regional campaign “Give a Child Reading,” initiate similar events locally, organize book donations, reader meetings, family readings, and other activities that support children's interest in books.
Together, we can give children not only books, but also a journey into the world of knowledge, learning, and love for the Ukrainian language.