Date: 2. April 2026
Time to read: 5 min
In Slovenia, it would be difficult to find anyone who has not heard of the Reading Badge (Bralna značka). Most people first encounter it in primary school. This cultural movement, entered in the Slovenia's register of intangible cultural heritage, has been promoting a love of reading for decades. In conversation with Gaja Kos, president of the Slovenian Reading Badge Society, and her colleagues, we explore why this is unique even in the international context.
The Reading Badge brings together young readers on the one side and their mentors and other professionals on the other. They prepare recommended reading lists, while children are also free to choose their own books. In addition to fiction, comics and non-fiction books are also regarded as valid reading choices. As part of the Reading Badge, children read between four and six books a year. Today, 70% of primary school pupils in Slovenia read in their free time as part of the Reading Badge.
Through its programmes, the movement also reaches preschool children, secondary school students and adults, engaging around 140,000 readers every year.
Why a (reading) badge?
The idea of extracurricular reading, proposed by Slovenian language teacher Stanko Kotnik and supported by the primary school head teacher and writer Leopold Suhodolčan, came to life in the 1960/61 school year. At the time, children enjoyed collecting all kinds of badges, so the founders decided that the reward for reading would be – a badge.
The first badges were awarded in the Koroška region, presented by the writer France Bevk. The initiative was initially called the Prežih's Badge, after the Slovenian writer Prežihov Voranc, whose portrait also appeared on the badge. Other badges soon followed, and during the 1960s and 1970s the movement spread across the whole of Slovenia.
-
The first Reading Badges were awarded in May 1961 to 119 readers, in the presence of the writer France Bevk. Photo: Reading Badge Society of Slovenia – ZPMS
-
The collection of Reading Badges has grown richer with each year. Photo: Reading Badge Society of Slovenia – ZPMS
Meetings with authors and illustrators
Since the very beginning of the movement, writers have been closely involved in the Reading Badge, and this is still true today. Authors meet young readers throughout Slovenia, in Slovenian national communities in neighbouring countries and around the world. In this way, the name on the book cover comes to life, which holds a special charm for children and motivates them to continue reading. As Gaja Kos explains:
"Librarians often report that after an author's visit, all their books are immediately borrowed from the library".
Slavko Pregl, writer and former president of the Slovenian Reading Badge Society, recalls his visit to a primary school in Dravograd, where he met young readers in the school gym: "The head teacher was a physical education teacher. Since I'm tall, we ended up shooting basketball. With the score at 2–2, the head teacher missed. I concentrated fiercely – and missed as well. I saved the head teacher's honour and opened the door to the Reading Badge at that school forever."
The Reading Badge brings generations together
Gaja Kos, President of the Slovenian Reading Badge Society, notes that, thanks to the programme's scope and the many generations of young readers who have taken part in it, the Reading Badge is, in fact, a history of good stories. In recent years, however, there has also been a strong emphasis on intergenerational connection.
"We are fortunate that the grandparents of today's young readers also took part in the Reading Badge. Some adults still proudly show the badges they received, but even more importantly, they encourage their children and grandchildren to read. Many of them also gladly take part in our intergenerational programmes or read for the Reading Badge in homes for the elderly."
-
Gaja Kos, President of the Reading Badge Society of Slovenia. Photo: Reading Badge Society of Slovenia – ZPMS
The Reading Badge beyond Slovenia's borders
The Reading Badge also plays an important role among Slovenian communities abroad. It is mainly carried out within supplementary Slovenian-language classes in European countries and in European schools, while its programmes and support are also highly valued among Slovenian communities abroad.
No comparable reading programme with such a long tradition exists abroad. Reading Badge coordinators report that presentations of the programme abroad are always met with enthusiasm. As Tilka Jamnik, former president of the Slovenian Reading Badge Society, explains: "Whenever and wherever I present the Reading Badge abroad, people are amazed by its longevity and resilience, its professionalism and warmth, and by its breadth – both vertically and horizontally."
Even today, the Reading Badge remains one of the most important initiatives for promoting reading, particularly among children. The movement brings together generations and sustains a living relationship not only with books, but also with the Slovenian language.
