Addis Ababa — A five-day campaign that aims to enhance the culture of reading among the public particularly the young kicks off today at the Addis Ababa Culture and Theatre Hall.

German Culture Centre in Addis Ababa organized the festival in collaboration with Music Mayday Ethiopia.

The festivity, by the name 'Let Addis Ababa Read' aims at creating a reading culture among the children and youth of the country and also aimed at sensitizing adult dwellers of the city to read, according to organizers.

Senior government officials, senior citizens, individuals and artists will read selected pieces of literature to students in schools in Addis Ababa to symbolize the importance of reading in building the nation.

The idea of the reading festival was taken from the experiences and history of good results in developed nations, the organizers said, adding they hope to hold the event every year.

In addition to the reading events at the Addis Ababa Culture Hall and Ras Theatre Hall, prominent individuals' school readings, book telethon, Book exhibition and Library organizing will also be held during the week-long event.

The organizers also plan to spread the aim of the festival to the public at large using shows at public places with free of charge of Audio CDs of selected poems and short stories of volunteer authors.