The wife of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Maja Ivanova, took part today in the "Macedonia reads books to children" campaign, organized by the publishing house "Kultura" and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Macedonia.

Ms. Ivanova and the wife of the Polish Ambassador to Macedonia, Ms Kinga Netman Multanowska, in front of the "Kultura" bookshop spent time and read books to the children of the primary school "Koco Racin" - Skopje, the SOS Children's Village and children with special needs from the Association "Give us Wings".

Ms. Ivanova urged their parents to encourage their children to read books, because, as she said, each book read is a priceless treasure.

"I am very pleased that in the next few weeks popular and prominent figures from the fields of culture, art, music and sports will socialize with children and in a way bring the magic of the book closer to every child," said Ms. Ivanova, expressing pleasure that today's event takes place on the eve of the International Children's Day - June 1.

She expressed hope that such activities will continue in the future so that the books and the written word are brought closer to each child.

"Еach page read opens up a new world view. New words and a lot of things are learnt, children's imagination is developed. Children somehow empathize with the characters from the novels and books they read," Ms. Ivanova added.

She reminded that we live in a time when the Internet and computers rule and added that every child spends time on the computer.

"Every child can read a book or to understand the plot of a book at the computer. I think that thoughts, beautiful words in the book, landscapes described are seen if we have the book in our hands," Ms. Ivanova emphasized.

Ms. Kinga Netman Multanowska said that it is a privilege to have Ms. Ivanova in this campaign. She informed that this campaign was launched in the Republic of Poland in 2001 and is very popular, with a great success achieved.

"We hope that with the help of Ms. Ivanova we will make Macedonia read more books. Polish children read a lot. Eighty percent of Polish children read books every year, many books, not just one and not just school books," Ms. Netman Multanovska said, adding that Macedonia has wonderful authors and publishers.

According to her, the book is everything, the book is the world, and the Internet can not replace it.

"It is important to teach children to read. Then, we will have adults who buy books and read a lot," she added.

The following reading sessions are scheduled throughout June with orphans and children with disabilities, aimed at their greater integration in the society. Reading sessions will be held every Wednesday at 18:00 p.m. and every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in front of the "Kultura" bookstore in Skopje.