In September 2025, the first stage of the "Reading Nation" project—a large-scale intellectual and educational initiative designed to foster a sustainable reading culture in Kazakhstan—was successfully completed in the Karaganda and Kostanay regions and the city of Shymkent.
The main goal is to cultivate the habit of regular reading, starting from childhood, to develop critical and analytical thinking, and to popularize books as a key source of knowledge.
The initiative is being implemented within the framework of the concept of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, announced at the 3rd meeting of the National Kurultai, and sets an ambitious goal: to make Kazakhstan one of the top ten most well-read countries in the world.
Over the course of a month, 189,221 participants registered to participate in the project in three regions: Karaganda region - 67,438 participants, Kostanay region - 55,281 participants, Shymkent city - 66,502 participants.
Among them: 87,157 schoolchildren in grades 6–10, 34,038 teachers, 2,388 civil servants from local executive bodies, as well as 36,553 family dynasties, and 29,085 college and university students.
Participants compete in six categories: Reading School, Reading Teacher, Reading Dynasty, Reading College, Reading University, and Reading Civil Servant.
In the second stage, each participant will be required to read 15 books from specially selected lists compiled by experts based on their age and interests. The focus is on fostering patriotism, responsibility, and critical thinking. The lists include works from the national vote "100 Popular Books of Kazakhstani Literature," international bestsellers, and works of world and domestic classics reflecting the national cultural heritage and values.
Detailed regulations and lists of books are available on the official website: www.reading-nation.kz.
Akan Besbaev, Head of the Reading Nation Project Office in Shymkent:

The "Reading Nation" project, implemented in our city, is giving new impetus to the spiritual life of its residents. The project's meetings, held in libraries, schools, and universities, have shown significant interest from city residents. The youth's engagement is particularly noteworthy—they value books not only as a source of knowledge but also as a key to free thought and comprehensive development. This initiative enriches the cultural landscape of our city and makes a significant contribution to the formation of a new generation striving for knowledge.
The project is being implemented by the "Kitap oqityn ult – Reading Nation" public foundation with the support of the Amanat party and the akimats of the Karaganda and Kostanay regions and the city of Shymkent. The general sponsor is Alageum Electric.
The results of the competition will be announced in April 2026.