Eager readers are cramming into book stores and cultural centers across Shandong province's 17 cities as the annual province-wide reading festival and book fair go into full swing.

Inaugurated on July 28 at the main venue Shandong City of Books in Jinan, the Qilu Reading Festival and 2017 Shandong Book Fair are aimed at promoting the joy of reading and the power of knowledge to the public.

Organized by the Shandong Provincial Department of Publicity, the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Shandong Province, the Shandong Sub-Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shandong Publishing Group, the 10-day festival includes about 670 activities such as book sales and exhibitions, ceremonies for books' first issuing, book-signing events, culture salons, lectures by acclaimed writers and art performances and exhibitions at the province's 134 Xinhua bookstores.

Customers browse in the Shandong City of Books on July 30 in Jinan during the Qilu Reading Festival and 2017 Shandong Book Fair. Lots of book promotions and discounts are offered during the festival. [Photo by VCG/ dzwww.com.cn]

The annual reading festival and book fair draws big crowds at the Shandong City of Books in Jinan, Shandong province, July 30, 2017. [Photo by VCG/ dzwww.com.cn]