The Circle of Stories: Shared Reading Across Generations

ongoing

Shared reading is a powerful tool for strengthening intergenerational bonds, enhancing cognitive and emotional development, and preserving cultural diversity. This project revitalizes shared reading by translating, publishing, and promoting nine books across multiple genres, encouraging collective literary experiences between children, parents, and grandparents. Despite its many benefits, shared reading is declining in European households, leading to reduced literacy levels and weakened family connections. This initiative counters these trends by fostering storytelling moments that bring people together. The selected books, originally written in Greek, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Bulgarian, and Dutch, serve as a bridge between generations, encouraging meaningful discussions and strengthening cultural identity. To enhance accessibility, the project integrates digital tools such as QR codes that provide supplementary content, extending the reading experience beyond printed pages. Community workshops and training programs equip educators, librarians, and parents with strategies to maximize the impact of shared reading. These activities promote active participation, turning reading into an interactive and dynamic exchange rather than a solitary activity. By prioritizing shared reading, the project not only expands access to European literary works but also fosters stronger social ties. Through collaboration with libraries, schools, and cultural institutions, it ensures a lasting impact, embedding shared reading into daily routines. Ultimately, this initiative underscores the role of storytelling as a means of connection, cultural exchange, and collective learning, making literature a shared experience that enriches all generations.