The 23rd "Free Reading Festival" for students kicked off today in Riyadh as part of the National Cultural Project to Revitalize the Connection with Books, organized by the King Abdulaziz Public Library. The festival runs for two weeks, featuring the participation of over 100 schools, more than 1,500 students, and numerous educators and teachers. The event aims to cultivate reading interests and foster a love for reading among students, while encouraging teachers to instill the concept of free reading. The King Abdulaziz Public Library seeks to dedicate its efforts to raising reading awareness across various segments of society through diverse activities and reading-related events, thereby embedding a love for reading within the community. This initiative is conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, recognizing it as the primary and most powerful link in the nation-building process—a process that serves as the key to development, progress, and civilizational advancement across all fields, as well as the fundamental building block for shaping the character of the youth and fostering intellectual and spiritual values. A mobile library service has been arranged to facilitate student visits to the library’s Khurais and Al-Murabba branches during the festival. Additionally, a reading program has been organized for middle and high school students, while the children's library sections at both branches have been designated for primary school student activities. These spaces have been fully equipped with the necessary technical capabilities and modern devices to display engaging, age-appropriate content, aiming to strengthen the bond between children and books and boost their self-confidence in acquiring knowledge across various disciplines. Notably, this program was launched in 1429 AH and has contributed significantly to disseminating knowledge and establishing the habit of reading among a large number of students.