ENU Launches “Vacation with a Book” Reading Marathon

The official opening of the “Vacation with a Book” reading marathon took place at the Scientific Library of The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The event was organized as part of the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Measures for Developing Reading Culture and Shaping an Intellectual Nation.”

The primary goal of the event is to effectively organize students' summer leisure time, increase interest in reading, build a sustainable reading culture, and support the intellectual and spiritual development of young people.

At the opening ceremony, ENU Rector Yerlan Sydykov highlighted the vital role of books in the professional and spiritual formation of a person and called on students to spend their summer vacations meaningfully and productively.

“On May 16, 2026, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed an important document aimed at developing a reading culture. It focuses on developing human capital, strengthening the intellectual and cultural potential of society, and popularizing reading as an essential tool for education and upbringing. The Eurasian National University pays special attention to shaping young people into deeply educated, critically thinking citizens who possess high spiritual values. Summer vacation is not just free time for a student, but an opportunity for self-development, gaining new knowledge, and expanding one's spiritual horizons. Therefore, I urge the youth of ENU to use this period as effectively as possible and make reading books a part of their lifestyle,” Rector noted.

In his turn, Bakhytzhan Orazaliyev, Director of the ENU Scientific Library, emphasized that the marathon aims to increase the reading activity of young people, develop critical thinking, and strengthen spiritual and moral values. He also noted that special attention is paid not only to students but also to schoolchildren. A summer camp will be organized for them in the library, with a special emphasis on increasing children's interest in reading, developing reading literacy, and shaping a reading culture from an early age.

During the event, participants were briefed in detail on the goals, objectives, and rules of the marathon. All students, faculty, and staff of the university are welcome to participate. During the summer vacation, participants must read at least 5-10 works of fiction and publish a post or a short video on social media for each book read. All publications must include the title of the book and its author, along with specific hashtags.

In addition, a special book exhibition titled “100 Books Recommended for Reading” was organized as part of the marathon. A cultural program featuring national kuys, poetry, and musical performances was also prepared for the participants. Within the “A Book I Recommend” section, attendees presented their favorite works, shared their impressions, and spoke about their educational value and life lessons.

Following the marathon, the reading activity of the participants, the quality of the published materials, creativity, and the overall level of reading culture will be evaluated. The best participants will be awarded in September 2026.