The title of this column was inspired by an anecdote told by Argentinian writer Claudia Piñeiro during the opening ceremony of the recent International Book Fair in Guayaquil. Piñeiro said that while he was waiting in the car during the trip, a girl approached them and said, “Don’t you have a little book?” Since then, the author always travels with copies in her vehicle. This detail allows us to reflect on the precious presence of books in our lives.

During her speech, the author also expressed her thoughts on reading and emphasized the importance of state support for guaranteeing what she called the “right to read”. In addition, he emphasized the need for mediators, teachers or parents, who spread the true love of reading. An idea that goes hand in hand with the thoughts of reading expert Michèle Petit: “Reading is an art that is passed on rather than taught.” In this sense, the reader was born because he was lucky enough to have a rich experience and free access to books.

In Ecuador, there was the José de la Cuadra National Plan for Books and Reading, accompanied by valuable guidelines on the country’s book horizon. Tambos for reading were a central component in which reading mediators brought different literary texts closer to the audience with attractive methodologies. Living in countries with a permanent economic crisis, like mine, means seeing budget adjustments affect the culture from time to time, as key sectors are prioritized. In this sense, citizens must demand from our governments to define reading as a daily practice that must be guaranteed, ignoring simply utilitarian reasons, because many still think that reading is a secondary demand.

How can we guarantee free and wide access to books? First, defining solid strategies and strengthening all components involved in reader training. Library networks play a fundamental role. They are a means of encountering different texts and activities related to reading. They must be understood as living beings that evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the community.

(…) it is necessary to invest in those who build bridges to the vital reading experience.

The role of mediator is important. Books have the power to love those who read them, but this often happens thanks to the generous and enthusiastic work of those who pave the way and accompany readers on their literary journey. Parents and teachers are also a fundamental bridge in this work, but not all children and young people are lucky enough to have someone who showed them the vast world of books. Therefore, it is essential to invest in those who build bridges to the vital reading experience.

The right to read implies the need to establish public policies that protect the circle of readers, intermediaries and publishers. Festivals, meetings and book fairs are components that follow these purposes. It is a pity that the presidential candidates do not consider clear and visible strategies on these issues in their government plans. (OR)