As we approach International Book Day, we find ourselves at a crucial time to rethink and revitalize the reading habit in Peru, not only as a source of knowledge and entertainment, but also as a catalyst for the development of critical thinking. and empathy. According to the 2023 National Reading Survey (ENL), carried out by the Ministry of Culture and the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), only 47.3% of Peruvians between 18 and 64 years old read books regularly. Far from discouraging us, this data encourages us to seek and apply innovative strategies that increase the interest and practice of reading at the national level.
In this context, Infobae Peru spoke with Gianfranco Hereña, cultural manager known on the networks as ‘The good bookseller’, who shared his vision on how to promote appreciation for reading among Peruvians. Hereña emphasizes the need to move away from the idea that reading has a solely practical purpose. “We must cultivate curiosity… this is essential to be able to form readers,” he says, suggesting that the key lies in promoting shared reading from within the family and foster a society to actively question, using books as questioning tools to move forward and progress.
The interview not only sheds light on the current situation of reading in Peru, but also charts a path towards a future in which books become fundamental pillars of individual and collective development.
In today’s Peru, as in the rest of the contemporary world, the value of reading transcends the mere act of decoding words on a page; It is positioned as a fundamental tool for integral development of the person. Through reading, not only does the door open to new worlds full of possibilities and perspectives, but it also cultivates deep empathy by allowing us to live, even indirectly, the realities and experiences of others. This enriching act broadens the horizons of our imagination and sharpens critical thinking, essential skills for maneuvering through the complexity of current times.
The ability to read and understand a vast range of texts is now more than ever a crucial competency in our society, deeply interconnected and driven by the constant flow of information. In this context, Gianfranco Hereña He shared with Infobae Perú a reflection that resonates strongly:
“Reading in itself changes lives, in the sense that it makes us discover other realities. From schools it is an issue that has to be promoted. The way it is done today is not the most optimal, I think we have lost sight of our imagination, we have become extremely pragmatic. I believe that we should make a change in that and give literary reading the place it really deserves in people’s lives,” he explained.
And, instead of seeing reading only as a vehicle for practical information, it is essential to recognize its capacity to inspire, innovate and transform. Reading should not only occupy a prominent place in our schools but also in people’s daily lives, reaffirming its role not only as a source of knowledge, but as a pillar of emotional and cultural growth.
In Peru, the cultural institutions They are key actors in promoting the reading habit, functioning as essential intermediaries between the world of books and society. These entities are committed to disseminating knowledge and entertainment through reading, facing the challenge of adapting to a society that evolves technologically and is characterized by its diversity. However, fulfilling this mission involves overcoming several obstacles that limit its ability to significantly impact the educational and cultural sphere of the country.
Gianfranco Hereñawhen talking with Infobae Peru, highlighted the complexity of this task: “It is a work that begins at home, continues at school, and municipalities and government entities should also respect. From the moment the book is no longer part of the basic family basketit already seems like an imbalance to me.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that the current situation of public libraries in Peru reflects this challenge: “Libraries have been reduced because the spaces where people live are increasingly smaller. Everything seems to be packaged in this idea that in the virtual everything is possible and it is not necessarily like that. Furthermore, on the part of the municipalities and electoral entities, we do not have public libraries, those that exist are in a complete state of abandonment.”
This circumstance demonstrates not only the need for an adequate infrastructure that encourages reading, but also the importance of revaluing physical books and reading spaces in a world increasingly inclined towards digital.
New technologies are profoundly transforming social and cultural dynamics, including reading habits. In this digital age, it is common to see how electronic devices have become the main means of entertainment and information, gradually relegating traditional reading to the background. This transition towards digital especially affects new generations, who grow up in environments where interaction with screens is the norm and direct, personal contact is perceived as increasingly less relevant.
One of the most notable consequences of this trend is the reduction of face-to-face contactas pointed out Herena: “We have parents who give their children electronic devices because face-to-face contact is becoming less and less.”
This reality not only affects the way in which younger generations communicate with each other, but also impacts how they relate to reading, privileging quick and ephemeral digital content over more elaborate and in-depth texts.
Furthermore, the pilot of ‘The good bookseller’ warned of a future in which “there will come a point where the exercise of reading will be an activity of minorities,” leading to a society characterized by what could be called “the idiocracy or government of the imago,” in the words of Marcus Aurelius, quoting Giovanni Sartori.
Current education systems also face criticism for their focus on reading literacy, seen primarily as a utilitarian tool intended for problem-solving rather than a means to stimulate the imagination.
As Gianfranco Hereña mentions, “these schools have a school curriculum, which seems to me to favor reading competence as a means for resolution and not for imagination; The problem of this is that reading is not addressed with the depth it should be.”
This narrow focus has significant implications for students’ intellectual and emotional development, minimizing the value of reading as a source of pleasure, inspiration, and deep knowledge.
In response to these challenges, it is essential to recognize both the opportunities and limitations that new technologies present for the promotion of reading. It is imperative to seek strategies that allow digital media to be effectively integrated into enriching reading experiences, without losing sight of the importance of cultivating a deep and lasting love for reading. This implies reevaluate how reading is taught and valuedboth in the family and educational spheres, to ensure that future generations can fully enjoy the benefits and pleasure that the world of books offers.
In Peru, changing the perception about usefulness of reading requires a comprehensive approach that challenges the traditionally utilitarian view of this activity.
Gianfranco Hereña, a renowned cultural manager, highlighted the importance of rethinking our approach to reading: “We must get out of our heads that reading has a utilitarian purpose or a pragmatic purpose. You have to read, you have to cultivate, you have to investigate; “We must cultivate curiosity, this is essential to be able to form readers.” This approach highlights the relevance of reading as a means of personal enrichment and the exploration of new ideas.
An effective methodology to promote the reading habit starts from the family nucleus. The practice of shared reading, having a representative figure and reading with your children creates emotional ties around reading and serves as a direct example for new generations, showing them that reading is a valuable, shared activity and a source of pleasure.
Herena He also projects his hope towards the future of Peru as a nation of readers: “I hope that Peru really becomes a reading country and that this helps strengthen our critical judgment that ultimately leads to the election of rulers; in a strong society that does not allow itself to be intimidated by authority but rather questions itself.”
