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Readers and Leedores
In Colombia, we celebrate every tenth point that reading indices rise as if it were a cultural victory. The DANE reported in early 2024 that the average number of books read per person per year stood between 3.7 and 3.75. A few years ago, the figure was 2.3. Progress exists, but it is slow. It remains a great challenge, even though it is believed that there are many readers in the country simply because thousands of people attend FILBo and the Corferias halls are packed. And the uncomfortable question remains intact: are we forming readers or simply accumulating 'leedores'?
TL;DR
- The article differentiates between 'leedores' (those who read out of necessity) and 'lectores' (those who read for pleasure).
- True readers engage with books for the intrinsic enjoyment and transformative experience, not for external benefits like exams or reports.
- Promoting reading should not involve oversimplification; reading can be challenging, requiring effort and interpretation.
- Focusing solely on statistical goals and campaigns like 'reading is easy' can lead to frustration and superficial engagement.
- Genuine reading is an intimate, voluntary process that leads to freedom and personal transformation, not an obligation.