ORANJESTAD (AAN): The first-ever Reading Festival Aruba 2026 will take place on February 27 and 28, bringing together thousands of children in an island-wide effort to promote the joy of reading.
The festival is organized by Stichting Biblionef Nederland in collaboration with Biblionef Aruba, Biblioteca Nacional Aruba, Instituto Pedagogico Arubano, and the Department of Education of Aruba. The event is made possible with support from the Nederlands Letterenfonds.
Preparations for Reading Festival Aruba 2026 are currently in full swing. The festival aims to inspire children to enjoy reading through a wide range of interactive and creative activities, including workshops with writers and artists, media and AI sessions, storytelling, poetry, music, and dance performances.
On Friday, February 27, a special program will be held for secondary school students in the basic cycle. Thirteen secondary schools will participate in activities designed to strengthen reading skills and reading enjoyment. To accommodate as many schools as possible, activities will take place at EPB Hato, Colegio Arubano, and Filomena College MAVO. Students will engage in writer and artist workshops, interactive games, and educational sessions tailored to their age group.
On Saturday, February 28, Reading Festival Aruba 2026 will open its doors to children of all ages and their families at Filomena College in San Nicolas. Activities will include storytelling sessions, book suitcases for younger children, AI and coding workshops for secondary students, and interactive storytelling experiences. The educational program will be complemented by music, dance performances, and a large show centered on reading.
Following the success of similar festivals in Sint Maarten, organizers expect a spectacular event in Aruba. More than 2,500 books will be donated during the festival, and visitors will have the opportunity to win prizes. Schools will also be able to borrow books, educational materials, and language games used during the festival to continue promoting reading enjoyment after the event.
