Read for Humanity – Because for Every 27 Hours of Reading a New Tree is Planted
EXPO 2027 ltd. Belgrade is launching the national campaign “Read for Humanity”, inspired by the idea that reading has the power to change not only individuals, but also the world around us. The campaign aims to remind the public that reading remains one of the cornerstones of progress and development in every society. Throughout human history, knowledge, the exchange of ideas, and the application of what has been read have driven the creative and innovative processes that have shaped the course of civilisation.
From 25 October to 2 November, the Expo 2027 Playground Reading Room and libraries across ten Serbian cities will become the focal points of the national campaign “Read for Humanity”, inviting citizens to revive the culture of reading and preserve the legacy of the written word.
“Read for Humanity” marks the first in a series of initiatives to be implemented by EXPO 2027 ltd. Belgrade in the lead-up to the Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade, conveying a clear message: every collective effort, whether reading, running, or collecting waste, can lead to tangible benefits, symbolised by the planting of trees in the future Expo Park.
Every book read will contribute to planting one tree, while each hour spent reading will be recorded as a personal contribution to a shared goal - the creation of Expo Park, a lasting legacy of the Specialised Expo. For every 27 hours of reading, one tree will be planted - a symbolic reminder of the year when Serbia will welcome the world. In this way, time spent with a book becomes a new currency of social good, turning reading into an act that enriches both people and nature.
Through this campaign, EXPO 2027 ltd. Belgrade seeks to reconnect people with the fundamental values of reading, knowledge, and culture, and to remind everyone that these values form the foundation of lasting progress.
“In our pursuit of instant information, we are drifting away from the very values that have built and propelled humanity forward. The book, as a means of gaining knowledge, remains an irreplaceable instrument for expanding the boundaries of every society. The imagination and creative thinking inspired by reading enable us to reach innovative solutions, address existing challenges, and create new opportunities for the humanity. These same principles form the foundation of Expo 2027,” stated Danilo Jerinić, Director of EXPO 2027 ltd. Belgrade.
Jerinić emphasised that the “Read for Humanity” campaign is not merely an invitation to return to books, but also an opportunity to raise environmental awareness through its ecological dimension.
“Citizens are invited to visit the Reading Room of the Expo 2027 Playground, bring their favourite books, and share them with others. The more books circulate, the more ideas are exchanged, and the more trees will grow. In short, every page read means more knowledge and more nature around us,” Jerinić added.
From Saturday, 25 October, between 10:00 and 20:00, visitors to the Expo 2027 Playground will have the opportunity to take part in the campaign and read books from the personal libraries of some of Serbia’s and the world’s greatest intellectuals.
As the host of the Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade, Serbia is sending a strong message through this national campaign: the future belongs to societies that remain committed to knowledge, culture, and the preservation of natural wealth.
The idea of “circular reading” reflects the spirit of Expo 2027, whose central theme, “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”, represents the fusion of sustainability, innovation, and togetherness.