The European Union’s monthlong #ReadForReal initiative to promote reading and highlight the diversity of European literature ran this year from November 11–December 12. In all, the program included 6,573 events which were hosted across 34 countries, and attracted more than 300,000 participants.
Launched in 2023 as the "Day of European Authors,” the event was initially held on one day. The program shifted in 2025 to the monthlong format, with #ReadForReal events hosted in a variety of venues such as schools, libraries, publishers’ offices, cultural centers, and even post offices. Activities included author talks, workshops with translators and illustrators, and the convening of book clubs. Events took place across the entirety of the European continent, including Ireland and Portugal in the west and Turkey and Ukraine in the east.
The European Commission funds the initiative through its Creative Europe program, with implementation supported by a consortium led by the Universal Reading Foundation and partners including the National Library of Poland, Germany's Stiftung Lesen, France's Ciclic, Bulgaria's Chetene, the Federation of European Publishers, and the EURead network.
European Commission member Glenn Micallef emphasized the democratic significance of the program. "The European Authors Day reminds us that reading is far more than a leisure activity, it's a cornerstone of personal development, critical thinking, and democratic life," Micallef said. "Through this initiative, we celebrate the extraordinary richness and diversity of European literature, the creative minds that shape it, and the ecosystem through which it lives on: authors, libraries, bookshops, publishers, and readers amongst others."
There are plans to continue the promotion next year, with a "Literacy for Democracy: Shaping the Future" conference scheduled for May 2026 in Warsaw; a #ReadForEurope workshop in November in Blois, France; and the pan-European celebration returning November 11 through December 12, 2026.
