ReadFest transformed History Museum courtyard into children's storyland

The courtyard of the National History Museum in Chișinău was transformed today into a true storyland, hosting ReadFest – an event dedicated to early reading, organized by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Culture.

The event took place in the context of Parenting Month and aimed to promote reading as an essential tool for the emotional, cognitive, and social development of children. Hundreds of children, parents, teachers, and officials enjoyed interactive reading sessions, creative workshops, and moments of connection around books.

ReadFest is part of the national program “Read Me 100 Stories,” launched in April 2025 by UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, OvidiuRo Association, and the National Library for Children “Ion Creangă.” As part of this initiative, kindergartens across the country have set up reading islands – spaces dedicated to reading and listening to stories, both indoors and outdoors.

So far, over 26,000 books have been distributed to 1,200 kindergartens, including in 150 Resource Centers, providing real early learning opportunities for about 110,000 children. Another 60,000 books are expected to arrive in kindergartens in the coming months, thanks to the generous support offered by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States.

Attending the event, Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun mentioned that reading is one of the simplest and most effective methods we can use to support the development of children from an early age.


“An open book alongside a attentive adult means not just spoken words – it means affection, connection, learning. Through initiatives like Read Me 100 Stories, we are building together a future where every child has access to resources that help them grow curious, empathetic, and confident. Ensuring children's access to early reading is a priority for the Ministry of Education and Research because we know how much these first steps into the world of books matter,” mentioned Perciun.



“Did you know that a child who is read to daily hears over a million more words before starting school? And that most brain development occurs before the age of three? These early years are invaluable. Every bedtime story, every picture book, every moment spent reading together strengthens their brain development. Read Me 100 Stories program is not just about distributing books. It means creating those precious moments – and unfortunately, increasingly rare in today's digital world – when parents, educators, and children sit together, turn the pages, look at the images, and ask questions,” added Maha Damaj, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova.



“ReadFest, organized in the courtyard of the National History Museum, is a clear example of collaboration between culture and education in support of early childhood. Through organizing webinars for educators, as well as events dedicated to parents and children – including those from vulnerable communities – the library becomes a true space of inclusion, learning, and imagination. It is a living example of how culture can support the harmonious development of children, from the earliest years of life,” said Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture.


The event concluded with a puppet theater performance, and each child went home with a gift book – a symbolic step towards cultivating a love for reading in the family.