Collectors' Reading Festival

The second Collectors' Reading Festival will open at the Shanghai Library East Branch on June 8, launching a three-month celebration that brings together reading, cultural heritage and the art of collecting.

Co-hosted by the Shanghai Collection Association, the Shanghai Citizens Culture Association, and the Yangtze River Delta Collection Association Alliance, the festival invites the public to explore how books can deepen our understanding of history, aesthetics and identity through the lens of collecting.

Under the theme "Reading Empowers Collection," this year's festival presents a dynamic lineup of activities, including six new book launches, expert lectures, a photography competition, themed exhibitions and hands-on events across the city. From ancient coins to vintage pencils, personal memoirs to travel collections, each book tells a story that bridges personal passion with cultural memory.

At the opening, a highlight was the launch of "China's Gold Currency: The Past and Present of Modern Gold Bars," where author Xu Baoming shared insights into the evolution of gold as a monetary standard and the techniques of gold bar appreciation. Rare specimens featured in the book were also exhibited on site.

Fifteen cultural institutions across Shanghai – including private museums, heritage studios and education centers – have been recognized as official Collectors' Reading Bases, offering workshops and events that reflect the diversity of collecting culture, from guqin (a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument) music and traditional fabrics to jade, minerals and ancient texts.

The festival will also feature five public lectures on topics ranging from old letters to scholar art and Shanghai's industrial legacy, led by experts in literature, history and material culture. Meanwhile, a photography competition invites enthusiasts to capture the spirit of collecting through the camera lens, with prizes awarded for creativity and cultural resonance.

By connecting reading with collecting, the festival highlights how books are not only vessels of knowledge but also gateways to preservation, discovery and community. This year's expanded regional partnership brings the cultural richness of the Yangtze River Delta into the spotlight, making it a true celebration of shared heritage and intellectual curiosity.

Date: June 8-September 8

Address: Across Shanghai