World Book Day is organized by UNESCO every year to offer a literal feast for ardent book lovers across the world. The official date set for celebrations is April 23 on which authors, readers, critics, publishers, and editors congregate at a single place to make the event a grand success. Alternatively referred to as Copyright Day and International Book Day, this is one of the global events that is held in high esteem all over the world. Promoting copyright values is one of the actual objectives behind organizing such a unique festival. It is celebrated on the first Thursday of March in the UK every year.
Key Objectives of World Book and Copyright Day:
- Promote Reading: Encourage people of all ages to discover the pleasure of reading.
- Support Publishing: Highlight the importance of publishing and the role it plays in cultural and social development.
- Raise Awareness about Copyright: Emphasize the significance of copyright in protecting the rights of authors and promoting creativity.
Activities and Celebrations:
- Book Fairs and Festivals: Many countries organize book fairs, literary festivals, and author readings.
- Library Events: Libraries host special events, such as book signings, readings, and workshops.
- School Programs: Educational institutions may conduct essay competitions, storytelling sessions, and other activities to foster a love for reading among students.
- Recognition of Authors: Awards and honors are often given to authors, publishers, and other contributors to the literary world.
UNESCO's Role:
UNESCO works with various organizations, governments, and partners to promote the day globally. Each year, a different city is chosen as the World Book Capital, where activities and events are concentrated to celebrate the importance of books and reading.
Celebrating World Book and Copyright Day is an opportunity to recognize the power of books to educate, inspire, and transform lives, while also ensuring that the rights of authors and creators are respected and protected.
World Book Day - Grand Celebrations Across the Globe
Other countries in Europe too are actively involved in spreading knowledge about the value of books. Booksellers in Spain are actively involved in publicizing books since 1923 through which readers belonging to contrasting backgrounds can realize maximum benefits. The event is marked as a perfect tribute to celebrate author Miguel de Cervantes who passed away on the exact day. However, it was because of the earnest efforts of UNESCO that the official World Book Day has been celebrated since 1995 to observe the birth and death anniversaries of William Shakespeare and April 23, the death anniversary of Shakespeare was chosen ultimately.
Several developing countries also observe World Book Day with the local flavor. Children are given utmost prominence as they get to read precisely the same books they would like for a long time. Publishers and authors too are known to campaign actively for the Copyright Day to bring the issues faced by them commonly. With the availability of social media in an active manner, the event has been already popularized to a maximum extent. Understanding the importance of reading books and treasuring details is what avid readers are bound to get.
The book is a garden kept in the pocket. The book always proves to be the best friend of mankind. World Book and Copyright Day is a globally celebrated event that aims to promote the pure joy of books and cultivate the habit of reading. UNESCO declared 23rd April as the day of celebration of knowledge sharing through books. It's observed in over 100 countries.
Quotes on Book and Reading
Here are some inspiring quotes about books and reading:
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"A room without books is like a body without a soul." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
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"Books are a uniquely portable magic." - Stephen King
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"So many books, so little time." - Frank Zappa
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"A book is a dream that you hold in your hand." - Neil Gaiman
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"There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway
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"The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." - Albert Einstein
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"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." - Charles W. Eliot
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"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss
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"Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled 'This could change your life.'" - Helen Exley
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"Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary." - Jim Rohn
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