International Symposium “The Right to Read: Continuation”

On 6 November 2026, from 13:00 to 17:00, as part of the Riga Book Festival, the international symposium “The Right to Read: Continuation” will take place in the Ziedonis Hall of the National Library of Latvia, at 3 Mūkusalas Street.

In October 2025, concluding the programme “500 Years of the Latvian Book”, the Riga Manifesto was adopted at the symposium “The Right to Read”. It states that reading is the foundation of a nation’s development and continued existence, as well as of a fulfilling life for every member of society. A year later, the symposium “The Right to Read: Continuation” at the Riga Book Festival continues the conversation about the role of reading in Latvian statehood, with the aim of moving closer to the creation of a permanent national reading strategy for Latvia.

The symposium will focus on examples of reading strategies – the Riga Manifesto called for the development of an interdisciplinary national reading strategy as part of national development planning, covering all age and social groups.

Representatives of various groups in society, policymakers and experts from Latvia and abroad have been invited to participate in the symposium.

Registration: https://reg2.lnb.lv/

The symposium is organised by the National Library of Latvia and the Latvian Publishers Association with the support of Riga City Council.