26 June 2025 – The REEPLAI project keeps moving forward, with partners across Ukraine, Portugal, and Italy working toward the next milestones and deliverables. Among these, two new Reading Parks are set to open in summer 2025 in Lviv (Ukraine) and Óbidos (Portugal).

Conceived as innovative outdoor spaces designed to foster reading, community engagement, and playful learning, the new parks are inspired by the successful model of the Reading Park in Morgex and built through international collaboration and community engagement, blending diverse literary traditions and creative approaches.

A Closer Look at Lviv

In Lviv, the project is being implemented through a close collaboration between the NGO Ukrainian Association of Culturologists Lviv and the Lviv Municipal Library. Together, they are working to transform a public space next to Library Branch No. 43 into an open-air Reading Park — a welcoming environment for readers of all ages.

Adapting to Unexpected Challenges

Building the park in wartime has required flexibility and determination. Although Lviv has remained relatively safe since the start of the full-scale invasion, the project has faced many hurdles — from shifting city priorities to reduced funding and unexpected site changes.

The original location was found to be owned by the Ministry of Defence, not the city. Legal efforts to transfer the property were halted due to military needs. In September 2024, the team was informed they would need to relocate the project.

This setback caused a six-month delay in the design process and occurred at the same time as a major reduction in municipal funding. Without financial support from the city, the team was asked to adapt the project to a self-funded model.

A Revised Concept

Despite these setbacks, the project partners stayed committed to the vision of the Reading Park. A new site was selected next to Library Branch No. 43, and a new visual concept was developed — one that aligns with the original goals but is realistic under the new financial constraints. This updated plan preserves the Park’s core mission: to create an engaging and inclusive public space centred around reading and cultural participation.

Opening

The Lviv Reading Park is now scheduled to open on July 6, 2025. The park will feature:

  • An interactive installation including Word Domino and Young Writers — games that promote creative language exploration;
  • A Street Reading Room and Reading Arch, offering spaces for book exchange, peaceful reading, and intergenerational gathering.

Designed by local artist Andrii Linik, the Lviv Reading Park will be a powerful symbol of creativity, resilience, and community — proving that stories can thrive, even in difficult times.