Würzburg / Mainz, February 26, 2016. 100,000 euros were raised at the 10th Würzburg Benefit Concert at the end of November 2015. An impressive sum that will benefit the promotion of reading in the Würzburg region. Numerous projects are to be launched in the first half of 2016, covering the topics of migration and equal social opportunities in addition to promoting first-time readers. A panel of experts from Würzburg has selected the first two reading projects, which will now receive a total of EUR 15,000, under the technical supervision of Stiftung Lesen.



The Spieli Zellerau children's center (Dr.-Maria-Probst-Straße) will receive 10,000 euros to set up a reading club (duration: 3 years). In the approximately 330 reading clubs currently run by Stiftung Lesen throughout Germany, children between the ages of 6 and 12 are taught to read outside of school. "In the reading clubs, children's love of reading is encouraged individually and playfully, and this has a direct impact on their school performance," says Sabine Uehlein, Managing Director of Programs and Projects at Stiftung Lesen, explaining the success of the reading clubs.



In addition, the popular "Würzburg reads a book" campaign will receive 5,000 euros from the total donation. Incidentally, the next campaign will take place from 8 to 17 April 2016, when clubs, stores, groups, organizations, schools and individuals will offer over 100 reading activities based on the book "Der Aufruhr um den Junker Ernst" by Jakob Wassermann.



"For us, the focus is on promoting reading skills, which are essential in a knowledge society. Because: reading is the key to education - and comprehensive reading skills are a prerequisite for personal development, success in professional life and social participation," emphasize the organizers of the Würzburg benefit concert: "The reading clubs of the Reading Foundation and the 'Würzburg Reads a Book' campaign enable and promote free access to reading in an extraordinary way."



In addition to Sabine Uehlein, Managing Director of Programs and Projects at Stiftung Lesen, Claus Bolza-Schünemann and Dr. Gunther Schunk, as representatives of the four organizers of the benefit concert, as well as Daniel Osthoff, Treasurer of the "Würzburg Reads" campaign, and Sister Ruperta Krieger, Head of the Spieli Zellerau Children's Center, were present at the kick-off press conference "Start of the Reading Promotion Region" at Spieli Zellerau. (see photo)



For pictures and further information, please contact:

Dr. Gunther Schunk, Head of Corporate Communications, Press Contact Vogel Business Media

Phone: +49 931 418 - 2590

Mobile: +49 160-70 46 173

E-mail: gunther.schunk@vogel.de



Lisa von Zobeltitz, Press Officer, Press Contact Stiftung Lesen

Phone: +49 6131 / 2 88 90-28

Mobile: +49 162 / 2 88 90-49

E-mail: lisa.vonzobeltitz@stiftunglesen.de

www.stiftunglesen.de



Stiftung Lesen promotes reading skills and access to reading for all age and population groups in all media. As an operational foundation, it works closely with partners - federal and state ministries, scientific institutions, foundations, associations and companies - to carry out research and model projects as well as programs with a broad impact. Its outstanding initiatives include the annual "Nationwide Reading Aloud Day", the "World Book Day" and "Lesestart - Three Milestones for Reading", a nationwide early childhood reading promotion program funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Numerous celebrities support the foundation as reading ambassadors. The Reading Foundation was founded in 1988 and is under the patronage of the Federal President.