World Book Day 2026 Promotes Culture of Reading with Inaugural Singapore Chinese Book Fair

共同推广阅读文化：2026年世界书香日首次同时举办新加坡华文书展

 More than 800 secondary and pre-university students participated in this year's World Book Day Opening Ceremony at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), National Library Board (NLB) and HCI, the annual event aims to promote a culture of reading in Singapore.

2. Guest-of-Honour Mr Xie Yao Quan, who is Group Leader of CPCLL, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Jurong Central SMC, launched the student publication《清醒地梦着》— a compilation of outstanding essays written by students in the Author-in-Residence Programme . Mr Xie also presented the Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) Best Improvement Award to 28 secondary and pre-university students. Please refer to Annex A for the list of award recipients.

3. Themed "Words as Light: Illuminating the Path of Inner Growth" (文字之光：照亮内在成长之路), World Book Day 2026 highlights reading as a path to self-discovery and encourages the exploration of texts on mental health and healing literature. Renowned counselling psychologist Ms Chou Mu Tzu (周慕姿女士) presented "What I Wish I Knew Before 20" (20岁前我希望自己知道的事) on mental well-being and the power of words in supporting personal growth, while local picture book author-illustrator Mr Lee Kow Fong (阿果) discussed "The Literary Power of Picture Books" (绘本的文学力量) on how visual storytelling builds emotional resilience. Both speakers also participated in a panel dialogue moderated by local writer Dr Chua Chee Lay (蔡志礼博士).

4. This year, World Book Day's guided reading activities will be expanded to include pre-school children, as part of efforts to nurture reading habits from a young age and strengthen family bonds through shared reading. Students from pre-school to tertiary level can look forward to a total of 56 guided reading sessions between April and May, an increase from 49 sessions last year.

5. To further cultivate a love for Chinese reading, the Singapore Chinese Books Alliance is organising the inaugural "World Book Day – Singapore Chinese Book Fair" to offer the public access to a wide selection of Chinese publications. The fair will run from 17 to 22 April at the National Library Plaza.

6. Members of the public can also participate in various reading activities held at the NLB and reading clubs. For more information on World Book Day activities, visit www.cpcll.sg.