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Day of European Authors

The Day of European Authors celebrates European literature and encourages interest in reading. It inspires younger generations to explore the richness of European literature. It also promotes linguistic diversity in Europe.
Various figures from literature in miniature on top of a book with the EU stars

Day of European Authors 2024

The second edition of the Day of European Authors is taking place on 25 March 2024 in all 40 Creative Europe countries.

The event consists of the following activities:

  1. reading events in schools, libraries and bookstores
  2. tour of European authors
  3. conference on the European dimension of reading promotion

Check out the events already registered for the 2024 Day of Authors

Help us improve the map

These events are positioned on the map as accurately as possible, using the data that organisers have provided us. If you spot an error, don’t hesitate to contact us with more accurate information.

Reading events in school, libraries and bookstores

We invite schools, bookshops, libraries and other partners of reading promotion in all Creative Europe countries to organize events focusing on European authors.

These events can also be an opportunity to invite a representative from the book sector, such as a writer, translator or publisher. The aim of these meet ups is to enhance the participants' experience as well as raising awareness about the diversity of professions within the sector.

Interested in organising an event?

The choice of format of the event and its duration is up to you. Let your imagination run free! For inspiration, check out what some schools have done in 2023.

Read this to find more information on how to organise a reading event.

Toolkit for communication

Tour of European authors

The European Commission and the European Writers' Council organise a tour featuring 120 European authors who are meeting with young readers in all 40 Creative Europe countries. Many of them are going to travel across borders to meet an audience from a country other than their own. Thus, the authors will be able to share their work, engage in readings, and facilitate discussions on their works or other contemporary authors. This interactive initiative will allow young readers to explore and discover the richness of European literature.

A conference on reading promotion

The European Commission organises a conference on reading promotion, scheduled for 25-26 March 2024 in Belgium.

The conference is gathering representatives from the ministries of culture and education from all 40 Creative Europe countries, along with key figures from the book and education sector, and organisations committed to promoting reading.

The theme of this conference will be about the European dimension of reading promotion.

This theme has been chosen to emphasize the importance of engaging young people in the development and implementation of reading promotion initiatives, in addition to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience between different countries, and develop new ideas for future actions.

2024 Day of European Authors Conference

A 2-day event to foster collaboration between the book and education sectors to tackle the decline in reading among young people.

Background information

Empowering the audience through reading

Books serve as powerful tools for empowerment, education, they also foster creativity and innovation. Reading not only enhances language skills but also enriches people's ability to express themselves, gains confidence, and arouses curiosity about the joy of learning and the world in general.

Through this initiative, the European Union seeks to inspire younger generations to establish a relationship with the world of books. It does so through meeting authors, translators and other professionals of the book sector and inviting them to share their own experiences.

The Day of European Authors offers young people an opportunity to engage with ongoing social and personal challenges.

The day of authors serves as a platform for the promotion and support of the ongoing programmes and initiatives in European countries to encourage a culture of reading.

The first Day of European Authors

During the first edition of the Day of European Authors, which took place on 27 March 2023, over 1000 schools participated, including those featured in the Tour of European Authors.

Additionally, a conference held in Sofia brought together representatives from ministries of education and culture, as well as professionals from the book and reading promotion sectors. To learn more about the first edition and get inspired from the experience of schools participating last year, check this summary and the factsheet about the activities in 2023.

Tagged in:  Creative Europe