World Book and Copyright Day

Do you realize that April 23rd is a day with a lot of meanings? Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Maurice Druon, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega are some typical examples about the anniversary of the birth or death of many well-known writers. As the result, World Book and Copyright Day is created in order to pay attention to books, the authors, and the copyright laws that protect them.

Why reading book is more important than ever?

During the last year, when most countries went through confinement and people had to limit time outside, books have proven to be powerful tools to combat isolation, strengthen relationships among people, improve our knowledge and promote our minds. In some countries, the number of books read increased quickly day by day.

During April and year-round, it is necessary to make time to read by yourself or spend with your children in order to honor the importance of reading, promote children's development as readers, and promote a love of literature and immerse in the world of work.

By commemorating World Book and Copyright Day, we can have chances to connect to others despite distances, and we can travel thanks to our imaginations.

In order to have an interesting World Book and Copyright Day celebration, you should change yourself, explore topics, formats or genres that are new to your usual. Our goal is to get people to read and have fun doing so! It is time for your chance.

Book covers are extremely important and play an important role in our buying decisions. We are all very judgmental about covers. Throughout the pandemic, it is a reminder for us about the importance of books and reading for comfort and escapism, which we all needed this past year. We're always glad to see a headline well presented, as a good cover can make or break a headline.

History of World Book and Copyright Day

It is a significant day in order to express gratitude to books and authors around the world, and to encourage people to discover the joy of reading, which will lead to new respect for people who have made irreplaceable contributions to social and cultural progress. For a number of years, the UNESCO Prize for Children's Literature and Young Peoples has been awarded for tolerance. Moreover, World Book and Copyright Day will provide the knowledge and compliance with copyright laws and other measures to protect everyone's intellectual property.

1995, the United Nations Year of Tolerance and the UNESCO General Assembly in Paris, was held in Paris focusing on this theme. It was established an annual celebration to spread the message of tolerance into the future, in the form of a day to honor the books, their authors, and the laws that protect them. April 23rd is a sum of a lot of holiday with many meanings and because of the Catalan traditions surrounding the day. In Catalonia, April 23rd is considered as La Diada de Sant Jordi or Saint George's Day as well and it is a tradition for lovers to exchange books and roses. World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year since 1995.

Celebrating World Book and Copyright Day

A variety of activities to promote reading and the cultural aspects of books are organized around the world. Many people emphasize the cooperation or friendship between nations around the world. Events include: reading and drama relay; the distribution of the markup; the announcement of winners in literary competitions; and activities to promote understanding of copyright law and protect the intellectual property rights of authors.

During many years, the Literary Award is dedicated for novels, short story collections or picture books for children and young people, which spread to all people about tolerance, peace, and understanding and respect each other regardless of different background and cultures. There are two categories: one for children's books 12 years and under; and one for those targeting 13 to 18 year olds.

Each year one poster is designed and distributed around the world. It features images designed to encourage people, especially children, to read and appreciate literature. A circle represents the world and two books with opened one, which is an icon for World Book and Copyright Day.