Partners in implementation of the just-concluded Annual Reading Festival have said it was a success.The 10-day festival held under the theme, ‘A reader today, a leader tomorrow’, aimed at encouraging children to adopt the culture of reading in schools across the country.It was organised by the Rwanda Library Services in partnership with Ministry of Sports and Culture, Imbuto Foundation, the City of Kigali, among other partners, including publishers, NGOs and foreign embassies.  Among the events that characterised the festival was an essay competition where students and pupils wrote essays on various topics of national concern such as unity, women emancipation, and corruption. The participants in the essay competition were awarded with scholastics. Though targeting youthful learners, the festival also put up a programme for adult education in Gichumbi District.Rita Zirimwabagabo, from Imbuto Foudation, said the campaign had been beneficial in promoting the reading culture in the country. "It is good when organistions team up during such campaigns to impact the benefits of reading in learners,” she said.Zirimwabagabo urged students to put into practice the lessons learnt during the campaign.More support neededJessica Lapenn, the chargé d’affaires at the American Embassy, said they have been and will keep supporting literacy programmes in the country.  "The US Embassy in Kigali is proud of the support we provide to Rwanda in its efforts to promote a culture of reading and to enhance literacy. This programme is part of a much larger effort by the US government to support primary education in Rwanda,” she said.Jennifer Turatsinze, the director of Rwanda Library services, said the campaign owes its success to the agencies that came out to promote it. "Through such programmes, you are building a productive and enlightened future for the country and the city,” said City of Kigali mayor Fidele Ndayisaba, who also attended the closing ceremony at the National Library Services in Kacyiru. "We are currently in the process of the modernising most aspects of the City and country, it is important to be equipped for the future,” Ndayisaba added.He urged learners to take advantage of such opportunities and programmes.