Coimbra marches for reading from Praça 8 de Maio to Portagem to mark World Book Day
Coimbra will once again take to the streets to celebrate books and reading with a Reading March on April 23rd, starting at 10:30 am, between Praça 8 de Maio and Largo da Portagem. The initiative, which marks World Book and Copyright Day, is promoted by the Coimbra Municipal Library, in conjunction with the Coimbra Library Network, and will include the participation of students and teachers from the municipality’s schools, as well as being open to all citizens who wish to join. The gathering is scheduled for 10:30 am at Praça 8 de Maio. The march will then proceed along Rua Visconde da Luz and Rua Ferreira Borges to Largo da Portagem, following a route through the central axis of the city’s downtown area. This year, the initiative will feature the entertainment of the Gaiteiros da Rainha Santa (Queen Saint’s Bagpipers), who will accompany the parade. The Coimbra Municipal Library invites everyone interested to bring a book and join this collective celebration of reading, which evokes World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated on April 23rd. The initiative also anticipates World Portuguese Language Day, which is celebrated on May 5th. In parallel, the action aims to highlight, in a participatory and creative way, the importance of reading, books, authors, and libraries, while simultaneously promoting the appreciation of the Portuguese language. The Coimbra Municipal Library is located in the Casa Municipal da Cultura (Municipal House of Culture), on Rua Pedro Monteiro, and is open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 7:30 pm, and on Saturdays, from 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm.