April is the perfect time for reading. On the morning of April 19, the launch ceremony of the 14th National Reading Festival (Shenyang Reading Season) and Book Market of Liaoning Province was held at the Liaoning Provincial Library, where 15 new themed books were released, unfolding a cultural feast shared by all.

The launch ceremony kicked off within the themed forum “Let’s Meet in Reading”. Mao Dun Literature Prize winners Liang Xiaosheng, Li Er and Dongxi, the well-known writer Sun Huifen and other literary masters had dialogues on the same stage. They vividly recounted their first impressions of Liaoning, anecdotes among writers, creation experiences and life insights. They also praised Liaoning’s Hongshan culture, narrated the behind-the-scenes stories of the film and television adaptations of their works, and actively interacted with readers. Liang Xiaosheng said emotionally, “Everyone hopes for a richer inner world, but solely relying on life experiences is far from enough. We need to gain knowledge and insights from books, and we can also find solutions and do self-introspection through books.” He encouraged Liaoning readers to persist in reading and writing, and promised to “meet” readers in reading.

During the event, the “Book Market” was launched simultaneously across the province, establishing cultural creative product exhibition areas and intangible cultural heritage exhibition areas. While reading books and attending lectures, readers can also shop for internet-famous cultural creative works, and experience intangible cultural heritage techniques. This reading festival will last until the end of this year, and every month, it will invite Mao Dun Literature Award-winning writers to participate in activities, such as forums, public live broadcasts, new book launches, exhibitions, and presentations, aiming to integrate reading into the lives of Liaoning people.