Readers in the city of Córdoba, Argentina: An approach to reading practices before and during the pandemic

Abstract

This paper analyzes reading as a cultural practice of the population of the city of Córdoba (Argentina). It is based on the final survey “Cultural activities in Córdoba. The impact of the pandemic” carried out in May 2021 by the research team: “Tramas de la cultura III”. The semi-structured questionnaire consists of three blocks: one concerning the usual cultural activities carried out pre-pandemic, another referring to the period of strict isolation, and a third when certain restrictions were partially lifted. A proportional statistical sampling was used. A total of 400 households were visited and one person over 18 years of age responded in each home. Reading is understood in a broad manner, including literature in general, magazines, and press, without distinction of the support or device in which the practice is carried out. The results obtained show the characterization of readers in the city of Cordoba in terms of gender, age, socioeconomic and educational level, reading preferences, relationship with other cultural activities, and the impact of the pandemic on the practice.