World Book Day and Literature Under the April Sky 2024 Opening Ceremony

世界书香日暨文学四月天开幕典礼 2024

More than 450 secondary and pre-university students participated in this year's World Book Day and Literature Under the April Sky Opening Ceremony at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) on Saturday, 20 April 2024. Jointly organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), National Library Board (NLB) and HCI, the event aims to promote a culture of reading among youths.

2. Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the CPCLL Ms Gan Siow Huang launched a student publication titled 《心有灵犀一点通》, which is a compilation of outstanding essays written by students in the Author-in-Residence Programme¹. Ms Gan also presented the Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) Best Improvement Award² to 28 secondary and pre-university students. The list of award recipients can be found in Annex A.

3. This year's theme, "Cultivating Inner Elegance through Reading" (腹有诗书气自华), is inspired by a poem written by the distinguished Song dynasty poet, Su Shi (苏轼), and highlights how reading helps to broaden one's perspectives, promote personal growth and build character.

4. At the event, new generation Taiwanese writer Ms Ayri Chang (张西女士) delivered a keynote speech titled, "Reading and Life (阅读与生活)" while renowned local author and theatre practitioner, Mr Neo Hai Bin (梁海彬先生) spoke on "Loneliness No More (为了不愿一个人)". The speakers also participated in a panel discussion moderated by renowned local writer Dr Chua Chee Lay (蔡志礼博士).

5. This year, students from the primary to tertiary level as well as teachers can look forward to a series of reading activities held between April and May. 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, please visit www.cpcll.sg.

Footnotes

1. The Author-in-Residence Programme (驻校作家计划）is an initiative to promote Chinese creative writing among secondary and junior college students.

2. Introduced in 2015, the award recognises students for their marked improvement in Chinese Language subjects, passion in learning Chinese, active contribution to CLEP, as well as good character.