A Nation That Reads, a Nation That Values Humanity
This article is an opinion piece, and all content and opinions reflect the personal views of the author and not the editorial stance.
EVERY 17th of May, Indonesia commemorates National Book Day. This is a moment that should not only remind us of the existence of books as printed objects containing pages of words but also as markers of civilisation. Books are essentially a home for knowledge, a space for reflection, and a long journey for humans to understand themselves and others.
In the midst of today’s fast-moving information overload, the presence of books is becoming increasingly important: they teach perseverance, depth of thought, and the ability to see the world in a more complete way. National Book Day was first initiated in 2002 by Education Minister Abdul Malik Fadjar and was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia on May 17, 1980. The hope is simple: to cultivate a reading culture within society. Because a nation that loves to read is not only an intelligent nation but also a nation that is better able to appreciate humanity.
However, the commemoration of National Book Day also presents an irony. On one hand, data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) shows that Indonesia’s Reading Interest Level (TGM) in 2024 reached 72.44, placing it in the high category. This figure has increased significantly compared to 2022, which was at 63.90. On the other hand, various literacy issues are still clearly visible in everyday life. For example, a BPS survey in 2020 showed that only about 10 percent of Indonesians can be classified as avid readers. In addition, access to books and library facilities is also not yet evenly distributed across various regions. There are many areas that lack reading facilities, have limited collections, and lack adequate and inclusive learning spaces. This situation shows that the issue of literacy is not just about whether people read or not, but also concerns consistency, quality of reading material, and critical thinking habits. Many people today are connected to various sources of information at all times, but they lack a deep-rooted reading tradition.