Turku City Library will be full of events, book tips, and reading during the national Reading Week on 20–26 April 2026. This year’s Reading Week themes are Learning to Read and Reading Is a Celebration.
The library wants to highlight reading and literacy as a source of joy and a privilege.
A child’s reading skills grow only through reading. Studies suggest that children who read daily gain more than a year’s advantage in basic skills compared to those who read less than once a week.
Shared library visits support a child’s reading. Active use of the library offers an environment where children are encouraged to pick up a book and are given space to read. Children using libraries often grow into adults who use libraries. Investing in children’s and young people’s literacy is an important act for the future.
– For a child’s reading development, it is essential to find enjoyable reading and to encourage persistence in practising reading skills. I hope each of us can lead by example and show the joy and value of reading to children, says Rebekka Pilppula, Director of Library Services.
An Early Start to Reading Week with the Mayor
Reading Week begins early on 9 April with the Books in My Life event at the Main Library’s Studio. Archbishop Tapio Luoma, Mayor Piia Elo, and author Roope Lipasti will take part in a discussion on the importance of reading. Journalist Riitta Monto will host the discussion. The event is organised in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Turku and is part of the 750th anniversary year of the Cathedral Chapter.
Libraries are also preparing for Reading Week by making festive bunting together from discarded books. Workshops will take place at the Main Library’s Studio and at Paattinen Branch Library. You can also make bunting later at the Market Square, when both of Turku’s mobile libraries visit the square on Saturday in honour of Reading Week.
– We celebrate literacy every day through library events. During Reading Week, we especially want to inspire people of all ages to pick up a book and explore library services. The programme includes many types of events, from a children’s book reading marathon to literature discussions and workshops, says Event Information Specialist Suvi Kiukas.
During Reading Week, the familiar Reading Corner will be set up at the Main Library Studio. It is furnished with recycled furniture and offers a wide range of books and materials to read and browse. The Reading Corner is organised together with Turku Ekotori. It is open to all library users daily from Monday afternoon to Friday afternoon. During the week, the space will also host a Blackout Poetry workshop and a Multilingual Language Café. At Hirvensalo Library, Reading Week is marked with an ex-library book sale during library service hours.
Animal Stories at the Reading Marathon and New Poetry at the Poetry Panel
On Reading Week Friday, animal stories will be read all day at the Reading Marathon in Saaga, the children’s section of the Main Library. The Reading Marathon aims to encourage children to engage with reading and books. In addition to library staff, readers include representatives from child welfare organisations and children’s culture. One of them is Janina Andersson, Executive Director of MLL Southwest Finland. Deputy Mayor Mirka Muukkonen and Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment Elina Rantanen will also take part as readers.
On Saturday afternoon, poetry lovers are invited to a special event. The New Poetry Panel will present and discuss new Finnish poetry at the Main Library’s Studio. Panel members are translator Emmi Ketonen, poet, host, and journalist Kalle Talonen, and writer, literary artist, and literary scholar Jasmine Westerlund. The event will be hosted by poet and writer Helki Kallio. Varsinais-Suomen Runoviikko Association organises the event in cooperation with the library.
During Reading Week, it is also worth following the library’s social media channels. There, staff members share their own reading journeys and memories of how their literacy developed and reading habits have changed over time. Everyone has a story, and everyone encourages others to pick up a book and celebrate reading.
Reading Week is an annual national literacy theme week that provides information and content on current issues regarding literacy and reading. Reading Week has been celebrated for over 40 years. It is organized by the Finnish Reading Center.