Society and Reading: "The Most Reading Region" contest to invite Russian regions to participate

"The Most Reading Region" contest invites all 85 subjects of the Russian Federation to participate. It allows regions to present the latest achievements in the development of literature and reading accessibility and award the winners.

The contest was launched in the Year of Literature, which took place in Russia in 2015. Since then, Ulyanovsk Region (2015), Voronezh Region (2016), Saint-Petersburg (2017), Irkutsk Region (2018), and Belgorod Region (2019) were awarded the title of "Literary Flagship of Russia".

Regions will present for the contest the most significant and exciting events and projects implemented in 2019/2020. Ratings of reader involvement, support for the region's literary traditions, literary activity, and the books and reading infrastructure will be taken into consideration.

2020 was declared the Year of Memory and Glory in Russia marking the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Therefore, special attention will be paid to the literary events in the regions devoted to the anniversary of the Victory.

The 37th World Congress of the International Board on Books for Young People will be held in Russia. In 2020, "The Most Reading Region" contest will highlight projects related to the successful experience in developing regional programs and interagency cooperation in children's and youth reading. It will also spotlight the experience in conducting large innovative and creative regional projects to promote books and reading among the younger generation.

The contest's jury, headed by the president of the Russian Book Union Sergei Stepashin, includes representatives of the book and library communities, public organizations, journalists, literary critics, and writers. The winner will be awarded the title of the "Literary Flagship of Russia" and a commemorative statuette - a bronze book ship drifting on the waves. Another three more regions with the best results will become the laureates and receive diplomas. The award ceremony will take place at the end of the year.