The Reader's Happy Hour

Writing is an art that demands a blend of creativity and imagination. It involves crafting something truly unique, with writers delving deeply into the world around them, exploring emotions, and drawing from their own experiences and perspectives. As an art form, writing transports readers to diverse landscapes, cultures, and emotions, turning reading into a sensory journey curated by authors.

Rundu Silent Book Club at Werah Cafe/Home of the Arts in Ndama, Rundu

In Namibia, remarkable progress has been made, with youth literacy rates soaring to approximately 91.5%. Yet, this achievement reflects educational reading, while the broader culture of reading for pleasure remains limited.

Daniel Sampayo highlighted this in the New Era, noting, "Reading is rarely given attention and only encouraged in formal school but not in general."

Gwen Lister, former editor of The Namibian, emphasised, “Unless Namibia starts reading more widely, we cannot make progress.”

Recognising this, Home Of The Arts (HOTA) has launched an exciting initiative to foster a vibrant community of readers in Rundu. This platform aims to cultivate a love for literature, seeing it as an essential ingredient for both personal growth and community development.

HOTA is a hub that offers various programs. One such program is Voices From the River (VFTR), which features multiple creative projects, including the Ngoma yaKavango band, open mic events, and comedy sessions.

On March 14th, HOTA incorporated the Silent Book Club (SBC) Rundu Chapter into its portfolio. The inauguration of the book club was a remarkable event that attracted book enthusiasts of all ages to Werah Café in Ndama, Rundu.

The Silent Book Club is an international organization founded in San Francisco in 2012 by two friends, Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich, who read together at their neighborhood wine bar. Their love for books and shared reading experiences with friends was evident, although their previous attempts at traditional book clubs had often diminished in enthusiasm.

Conventional book clubs can sometimes entail the pressure to complete the chosen book within a limited timeframe and the expectation to contribute insightful commentary. To address this, they conceived the innovative idea of establishing a book club where members could simply enjoy books, fellowship, and beverages without the obligation of homework.

Currently, the Silent Book Club boasts over 2000 chapters across more than 55 countries. As HOTA, we are profoundly honored to be part of this global community that advocates for reading.

The launch of SBC Rundu was indeed a memorable occasion. The silent reading session was profoundly engaging, and the gentle sound of pages turning was like music to the soul. The hour dedicated to silent reading passed swiftly, further igniting a passion for reading. The unique aspect of this book club is that each participant brings their own book; there are no fees or mandates to discuss one's reading material.

Research has demonstrated numerous benefits of reading, including enhancing cognitive functions, fostering empathy, alleviating stress, and expanding vocabulary. In our often stressful world, reading serves as a therapeutic activity that promotes wellness. Bibliotherapy is recognized as a supplementary therapeutic approach that facilitates emotional release and reduces anxiety and stress.

The motto of SBC Rundu is "Connecting through the shared love of books." Our mission is to foster a love for reading within the Rundu community. We invite you to join us in this literary journey of exploration.

Updates regarding our monthly meetings can be found on our Instagram page @SBCRundu.

© HOTA Team