Day of the book, research: 31 percent of citizens in Kosovo can mention no title read

The non-governmental organisation ETEA and the publishing house APUkagjini have conducted a domestic research, coming up with some findings about how much it reads in Kosovo.

The data is alarming, with 31.29 percent of citizens unable to list any read titles, until a total of 52.24% fail to list three total book titles. The latter suggests that more than half the population of the Republic of Kosovo does not interact at all with the book.

The research in question also reveals the preferred authors, who turn out to be names like Colleen Hoover, Ismail Kadare and Naim Frasher.

Below, you can find the complete communique of the publishing house '%Dukagini and the organization. ETEA.

COMMU NICHES FOR MEDIA

Data from the research report of the publishing house “Dukagini” and the organisation E TEA: Kosovo's “Nivel reading: Challenges in cultivating the culture of reading”
23,04,2023
Subtitles: TIA, during February and March 2023, has carried out research on Kosovo's reading level and challenges in cultivating reading culture, where they have already received concrete data on the situation in Kosovo society, some of which they shared with you on International Book and Author Law Day.
To find the level of reading and culture reading in the Republic of Kosovo, combined method has been used. Subtitles: TEA, through surveys, focus groups and interviews, has released data from 14 municipalities in the Republic of Kosovo (from 2 to regional level) selected on the principle of the number of residents and economic incomes for municipalities, which are: Pristina, Obilic, Mitrovica, Skenderaj, Peja, Klina, Gjakova, Juniki, Prizren, Mamusha, Gjilani, Kamenica, Ferizaj and Hani of Elez. The number of mayors for the municipality is based on the total number of residents according to municipalities, according to the percentage representing the total of residents in the Republic of Kosovo. Of the residents surveyed in the field, 56.4% were women, and 42.7% men. 0.9 percent have refused to answer their gender. The age of residents is from 10-65+ years old. A total of 1486 people have been surveyed on the ground.
The publishing house “Dukagini” and the ETEA organization forward some of the key findings from the research into question:
Of the results coming from the field, the publishing house “Dukagini” and the ETEA organization learn that only 7.2 percent of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo regularly participate in activities that are dedicated to promoting the book and reading; that figure quite low and reflecting the interest of Kosovars/s along with the book.
A faint interest in cultural activities that are the focus of attention is also translated into lower numbers of the average books read annually. 16.6 percent of citizens say that they do not read any books annually, until 38.3 percent say they read only 1-3 books per year.
For low reading and lack of culture of reading, Kosovo citizens have the same reasoning: 67.5 percent of citizens say they don't have the free time to read and insist they would have read more if they had more free time. However, questioned about their personal preferences during leisure time, only 20.7 percent of citizens say that they would read a book in leisure time, while 45.8 percent prefer to watch entertainment, with 33.5 percent choosing to engage in sports.
The publishing house “Dukagini” and the ETEA organisation have also released data concerning the preferred authors and the most recently read titles by Kosovo citizens. According to data coming from the ground, the most popular titles in Kosovars/at are “it ends with us” from the Coollen Hoover and “as if I were a boy” from Haki Stermili. On the other hand, the authors' most mentioned by citizens of the Republic of Kosovo are Ismail Kadare from locals and College Hoover from foreigners. What makes this choice of citizens interesting is that libraries say there is time that the work of Ismail Kadare or “as if I were a boy” by Haki Stermil is not sold in large quantities or in frequent periods of time. But with Hoover the situation is different.
According to research, 31.29 percent of citizens are unable to recall any of the last three books read. 11.3 percent may name only one book title, while 11.37 percent know two titles. Overall, 52.24% fail to list three total book titles. The latter suggests that more than half the population of the Republic of Kosovo does not interact at all with the book.
In this context, during field surveys, residents have also been asked about their positions regarding some of the sentences and strange phrases often familiar with the daily communications of Kosovo society in relation to the book and reading, one of which is: “With much read, become foolish”. It is noteworthy that 9.4 percent of residents have appreciated that this holds out.
On the other hand, regarding these findings and institutional responsibility in relation to the status and culture of reading in the Republic of Kosovo have not yet responded to the requirements for interviewing relevant institutions.
Subtitles: TIA, in the coming days, will publish other data concerning the level of reading in Kosovo and the challenges of cultivating a reading culture in Kosovo society. More detailed data will be accessible to media and the public in terms of causes that have prevented/hindered the culture of reading, on a date for which the publishing house “Dukagini” and ETEA will report to you in advance, when even the complete publication of the Kosovo Research Report <x4Niveli: Challenges in cultivating the culture of reading”. A documentary carried out by 10 interviewed, including field connoisseurs and different critics, will also be published on this subject.