A reading activity takes place in Wuxi. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Wuxi in Jiangsu province launched the 19th edition of its Taihu Reading Month on April 18 in Nanquan Old Street, Binhu district, with a focus on exploring innovative AI-enabled reading experiences.
Concurrently, the "Kaihua Book Alley" Cultural Open Week began in the same historic locale.
Nanquan, historically known as "Kaihua", evolved into a bustling market during the Song (960-1279) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties and became a commercial hub during the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Today, the Kaihua Book Alley connects 22 locations and 18 cultural landmarks, allowing citizens to immerse themselves in the charm of reading as they stroll along it.
Bustling Nanquan Old Street. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
The launch ceremony featured announcements of various reading brand projects, boutique bookstores, public welfare reading organizations, and the annual list of recommended books.
A highlight of the day was the debut of the "Zhongshu · Erquan Moon" co-creation platform. This combines online submissions, work displays, and offline check-ins, encouraging individuals to document their hometown memories and reflections on life.
Additionally, the "AI + Reading" promotion plan and the "Zhongshu · Code Reading" digital reading resource-sharing platform were officially launched, offering convenient services such as book recommendations, injecting fresh vitality into the city's reading culture.
Wuxi has hosted Taihu Reading Month for several consecutive years, establishing the distinctive "Zhongshu Reading" brand in the process, with nearly 1,500 reading events organized annually. Statistics show that the comprehensive reading rate among Wuxi residents has consistently remained above 90 percent, ranking among the highest in Jiangsu.
Currently, most Wuxi residents can access a reading space within a 15-minute walk, with Zhongshu Reading Yard bookstores scattered throughout the city, over 800 rural libraries in the countryside, and a growing number of independent bookstores. The city has turned into a "large study room", making reading an integral and accessible part of daily life.
Copyright © China Daily. All rights reserved.