The National Literacy Agency, within the Ministry for Education, has facilitated a nationwide initiative entitled “Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars”., The initiative first began on 4 November 2016, and has so far included over 250 nominations, for children who have distinguished themselves as avid readers. They are nominated by their teachers, parents, siblings, and friends. This year Fifty children who attend State, Church and Independent schools were awarded this title.
The purpose of the celebration is to highlight the children who enjoy reading, and to encourage reading for leisure and pleasure among younger generations. The event included ten children who exhibited their talents in singing; reading from texts; dance; and musical performances.
The Brillantini initiative also provides an example to other children, by promoting reading in public spaces, thereby encouraging a sense of connection and love towards books and reading. Different reading activities, as part of the initiative, have taken place in schools, public gardens, bus shelters, clinic waiting rooms, beaches, and other areas.
The President of Malta, thanked the educators and parents for encouraging a love of reading in their children. Since reading stimulates children’s imaginations, and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to write their own creative work.
The President concluded by encouraging more children and young people to explore the world of reading, “because it is a key to the childrens future education, it is a way of discovering new ideas and expanding imaginations and it is a way of celebrating diversity, by learning about other people and their lives through the gift of reading”.