Li Dan

A BRIEF book-borrowing ceremony this morning at the Shenzhen Library in Futian District will launch the Eighth Shenzhen Reading Month.

This year, a total of 7,500 books, of which 4,000 copies have been provided by the Shenzhen Book City and 3,000 donated by locals, will be available to booklovers for free reading at different locations. Readers can pick up the first batch of books at the 10 outlets of the Shenzhen Book City starting today. The second batch of books will be given to students in 15 schools and the third batch will be sent to four “Project Hope” schools in Guizhou Province.

Yin Changlong, vice chief of the local cultural bureau, called on citizens to donate more books for the program.

The highlight of this year’s reading month is a series of talks given by scholars. Residents can book free tickets by calling 8207-3044 and pick them up from the Shenzhen Book City outlet in Luohu District.

Yang Dongping, producer of CCTV’s “Baijiajiangtan,” a popular program, will talk about parity in education. Chen Zishan, researcher on contemporary Chinese literature, will discuss Chinese fiction including Zhang Ailing’s “Lust, Caution.” Qian Wenzhong, a student of literary master Ji Xianlin, will talk about how writers carry out research. Zhao Lin, philosophy professor at Wuhan University, will discuss differences between Chinese and Western cultures. Other speakers include renowned Taiwan poet Yu Guangzhong, caricaturist Fang Cheng, TV host Yang Jinlin and best-selling author Yu Dan.

Another event of the reading month, a speed-reading contest has drawn 120,000 competitors so far. After two elimination rounds, the finals of the competition will be held Nov. 10 and 11 in four groups, namely among primary school, junior high school, senior high school and adult contestants.

The organizers have also put together a fairy tale festival for children. “Malanhua,” a puppet play based on a Chinese fairytale, lauds hard work and kindness. The show by Hunan Puppet Theater will be staged Nov. 24 and 25 at the Children’s Palace. Other festival events include a “fairy tale angel” pageant, a fairy tale drama contest, a painting competition with the theme of fairytales and a fairy tale-writing contest.

The organizing committee will also publish a list of this year’s top 10 recommended books together with local media, with readers’ votes and a jury of scholars to decide the final winners.