ZAGREB, 15 Jan (Hina) - Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek and Health Minister Irena Hrstić read stories to young children at the Ivan Goran Kovačić City Library in Karlovac, launching the national reading challenge "15 by 15", which encourages adults to read to children for 15 minutes a day.

The public campaign "15 by 15 - All of Croatia Reads to Children" is part of the "Born to Read" national programme promoting reading from the earliest age.

Parents, guardians and others are invited to read to children for 15 minutes a day over 15 consecutive days to help establish a habit of shared reading and highlight its importance for child development.

The ministers took part in the library's regular "Chatty Wednesday" programme, followed by a children's theatre performance by the Kozlići Association.

Minister Obuljen Koržinek said more than 70,000 children are already involved in the "15 by 15" programme, with numbers expected to grow.

She stressed that creating a reading habit early was crucial, as research shows children read when they grow up in a reading-friendly environment. Children who read become people who think, which is vital in an age dominated by screens and digital distractions, she said.

Minister Hrstić underscored that reading also benefited health, supporting brain development, emotional bonding and empathy.

Library director Kristina Čunović noted that the Karlovac library was named Croatia's best library for 2025, partly due to programmes involving more than 200 children annually, and reported growing attendance at its children's department.