{"id":5607,"date":"2021-09-17T17:32:53","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T17:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kokutangaza.com\/?p=5607"},"modified":"2021-09-17T19:33:02","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T19:33:02","slug":"promoting-reading-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kokutangaza.com\/promoting-reading-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Promoting Reading Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Encouraging reading culture and writers in a nation does monumental things to develop it and preserve it.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you read a good story it has the power to make you a little more wiser, a little more empathetic (by seeing through the eyes and experiences of someone other than yourself). With regular reading being a sort of passively internalized training in the art of writing; reading books equips you with the possibility of becoming a skilled writer yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a story is written, that is a story documented, and henceforth, a story made immortal. So our nations need a tradition of reading, we need writers. For our cultures, for our history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is it that the habit of reading is so rare when the benefits are so vast? I have heard people from around the world say, \u2018I don\u2019t read much but I enjoy The Harry Potter series.\u2019 Something about this literature appeals to the masses, which is a good thing. It has won fans all over the globe but I have to point out that it is a modern fiction with no characters that are people of color. It is very western and it is very commercial. So, I only hope that it\u2019s the gateway to more readership; readership filled with more diversity and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another reason not many pass-times are filled with book reading is because people are often made to believe that reading is only associated with academia. Yet another reason is that people find that buying books is expensive. I do realize that reading books for leisure is a luxury (it is costly) but it is also a worthwhile investment.<\/span><\/p>\n

And of course, libraries are available and they are free. I refer to them as urban sanctuaries. Inquire with people in your town or even search on the internet for libraries in your region.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us normalize the joy of reading and encourage the reading of books for recreation so that kids will maintain book reading well into adulthood. Let us make a conscious effort in reading books from all over the world of narratives not spoken enough of globally. African, Asian, Middle Eastern, South American, Native American, Caribbean, Aboriginal, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

One place working to promote reading culture in Tanzania is the Soma organisation. They are doing beautiful work. They host several events during the year pertaining to literature, poetry, arts and culture. The last event I went to was a very lovely memorial for the late writer and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison. Because I spoke so passionately about literature and the author at the event, the director, Madam Demere Kitunga, gave me an impromptu invitation to mediate part of their public discussion. I very enthusiaistically accepted and felt so elated to be able to contribute to the program. And that is just how Soma Book Club is: giving everyone a voice and facilitating public platforms whenever possible for all.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Soma organisation is currently teaching extracurricular classes for children to become more exposed to literature and to also learn how to write their own stories. What a great way to uplift our children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some other places making readership and literature available to both children and adults:<\/span><\/p>\n