Uzbekistan Launches “Book — Source of Enlightenment” Program to Promote Reading Among Youth

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree “On Measures to Develop a Reading Culture and Increase Public Interest in Books,” which provides for the creation of a Reading Culture Development Fund under the Agency for Youth Affairs.

The main goal of the initiative is to raise the annual per capita reading rate to ten books by 2030. The Fund will finance a variety of projects aimed at supporting writers, promoting literature, and improving public access to books.

Key measures include providing grants to young authors through competitions and publishing their works, supporting children’s literature, identifying talented authors and awarding them a monthly honorarium of up to 50 sizes of basic estimated value (BEV) for up to one year, and preparing selected foreign works for publication in Uzbek as well as Uzbek literature in foreign languages, with partial coverage of publishing and copyright expenses.

Members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees will receive quarterly bonuses of up to 50 sizes of BEV.

Starting from 1 February 2026, the “Book — Source of Enlightenment” program will be launched to popularize reading, especially among young people. State authorities will classify book and reading promotion as social advertising. Public transport—including buses, metro, airplanes, and trains—will provide access to the “Mutolaa” platform via Wi-Fi or mobile internet, with QR codes installed for user convenience.

Schools and educational institutions will establish reading clubs called “In the Footsteps of the Jadids,” where participants will debate and analyze books, reading no fewer than 20 books per year. The best clubs each quarter will receive awards.

The decree also provides measures to promote professional literature. By 1 March 2026, all ministries and agencies will compile lists of sector-specific literature. At least three foreign publications will be translated into Uzbek annually with the involvement of qualified specialists. By 1 April 2026, “Book Corners” will be created, and a monthly “Reading Hour” will be held for staff.

An internal reading ranking system will be implemented, and employees who read the most books will receive bonuses equivalent to one month’s salary. Students ranking in the top 100 for the number of books read will receive a monetary award of 25 sizes of BEV.