The number of literary clubs is growing in Russia

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At the instruction of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, Russia is experiencing an active revival of the reading culture. As part of the federal project "Reading Programmes," 1,200 literary clubs have been created across the country in just one month. This was announced on 2 October during the plenary session "On the revival of reading programmes and the creation of literary clubs," held as part of the 5th All-Russian Homeroom Teachers’ Forum at the National Centre RUSSIA.

"The idea of reviving reading programmes was voiced by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin at the Presidential Council of the Russian Federation on the implementation of state policy in the sphere of support for the Russian language and the languages of the peoples of Russia. When we started working on this initiative, we quickly realised that we should not limit ourselves only to reading programmes. We must in every way encourage the creation of literary clubs in the schools of our country. Regardless of whether a school specialises in technical or humanitarian subjects. Because native literature helps everyone. It helps to nurture the soul and shape the individual," said Yelena Yampolskaya, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation. 

Special attention will be paid to the development and modernisation of school libraries. They should become places of attraction for the younger generation. According to Olga Koludarova, Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, the main task is not to force children to read but to awaken their interest in reading. It is important to create a school environment where young people encounter books in a positive way, which is why the emphasis is placed on the school librarian. This may also be a homeroom teacher, a primary school teacher, or even a teacher of vocational skills or technology.  

The creation of a literary club begins with finding an active curator. Most often, this is a teacher of Russian language and literature, another teacher, or a librarian. To determine whether the curator is competent in the subject, there is a formal accreditation procedure. After the curator gathers and registers participants, access to the electronic platform and all necessary materials is opened. Mainly, these materials relate to entertaining and, most importantly, engaging formats of learning. 

"We had planned 1,000 literary clubs by the end of 2025 as an ambitious goal. But in just one month since the project was launched, there are already 1,200. Next year, God willing, we will reach all schools in our country," said Maxim Dreval, Director General of the Russian society Znanie.  

According to Dreval, a ranking will be maintained to identify the thirty best literary clubs each month. At the request of the ranking leaders, the Russian society Znanie undertakes to bring the country’s most outstanding figures to the "Reading Programmes". In particular, negotiations have already been held with People’s Artists of Russia Sergei Bezrukov, Yevgeny Mironov, and Vladimir Mashkov. 

The Homeroom Teachers’ Forum is a landmark event in the field of education and upbringing, taking place from 1 to 3 October at the National Centre RUSSIA. This year, the Forum brings together 1,000 school education activists and vocational training group curators from 89 regions of Russia, as well as teachers from Abkhazia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Belarus, South Ossetia, Tajikistan, Armenia, and Uzbekistan. The Forum is organised by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation at the instruction of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Participation in the Forum required a multi-stage selection process. More than 48,000 applications were submitted.