The Beijing Capital Museum hosted the "Reading Beijing" annual gala on Thursday, attracting more than 3 million viewers online.
The event celebrated Beijing's efforts to promote reading over the past 75 years. Meanwhile, it honored winners of the 2024 "Top 10 Reading Spaces," "Beijing Recitation Competition," and "Reading Beijing Excellence Organization Awards."
At the event, Li Nianzu, deputy director of the Beijing Library, shared insights into the library's achievements in architectural design, sustainable solutions, as well as cultural promotion and future aspirations.
According to statistics, public reading spaces have increased to 6,026 libraries and reading rooms across Beijing, including 228 24-hour self-service libraries. These spaces are accessible within a 15-minute walk in urban and rural areas alike.
The event also featured cultural scholars, literary figures, and reading advocates, who shared classics readings and personal stories.
The gala was the culmination of a reading initiative that spanned eight months and engaged 11.68 million people. During this period, Beijing organized public lectures, a recitation competition, study tours, as well as community libraries and mobile reading spaces programs.