Kazakhstan has launched registration for the country’s first nationwide reading marathon, “Reading Nation”. The initiative will gather participants from all regions of the country and is expected to become one of the largest national initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of reading. The marathon will run from September 2026 to April 2027 and will be held in both Kazakh and Russian leagues
The project is implemented with the support of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information.
Seven tracks for different categories of participants
The project covers all social groups. The “Reading School” track is designed for students in grades 6–10, while separate tracks “Reading College” and “Reading University” are available to college and university students, respectively.
Dedicated categories have also been established for teachers and lecturers (“Reading Educator”), family teams (“Reading Dynasty”), and civil servants (“Reading Civil Servant”). Anyone may also participate regardless of age or occupation under the “Reading Intellectual” track.
Each participant is required to read 15 books from a specially collection of 330 works, comprising 165 titles in Kazakh and 165 in Russian. The reading list includes works by Kazakhstani authors, world classics, contemporary literature, as well as works from the “100 Books” list compiled following a nationwide public vote and books by Nobel Prize laureates in Literature.
How the marathon will be conducted
The main reading stage will begin in September 2026 and continue through March 2027. During this period, participants will read the selected books and post brief reviews in their personal accounts on the project website.
In March–April 2027, participants will take part in a final assessment and intellectual quizzes, based on the results of which the winners will be determined.
The prize fund for winners of the regional stages will range from KZT 300,000 to KZT 600,000, depending on the place achieved. All finalists will receive diplomas and electronic certificates.
Project partners and support
Bakytzhan Turlybekov, Chairperson of the “Kіtap Oqityn Ult - Reading Nation” Public Foundation, emphasized that the marathon’s objectives extend beyond the competition itself. According to the organizers, the initiative is intended to foster a nationwide movement centred on books and reading, bringing together people of different ages and professional backgrounds.
The Writers’ Union of Kazakhstan, the Creative Industries Development Fund, as well as the digital platforms KITAP and Yandex Books, have joined the implementation of the marathon.
