18 Apr The history of World Book Day

Did you know that World book day is an annual event celebrated on April 23rd? It was started to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. It was first established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1995 as a way to encourage children to discover the joy of reading and to promote the importance of literature in our lives.

The origins of World Book Day can be traced back to the Catalan tradition of giving roses and books to loved ones on Saint George’s Day. This tradition has been celebrated in Catalonia since the 15th century, and in 1923, a bookseller named Vicent Clavel Andrés proposed the idea of celebrating the day as an international holiday for books.

However, it wasn’t until UNESCO established World Book Day in 1995 that the celebration became a global event. World Book Day is celebrated in over 100 countries worldwide, and each year, a different country is selected as the “World Book Capital”. This city is responsible for organizing events and promoting reading throughout the year.

The main goal of World Book Day is to promote reading and to encourage people to discover the joys and benefits of literature. Reading has many benefits, including improving cognitive function, increasing vocabulary, enhancing empathy and social skills, and reducing stress. By promoting reading, World Book Day aims to improve literacy rates and foster a love of reading in people of all ages.

World Book Day is also a time for celebrating authors, illustrators, and publishers. It is a day to recognize the importance of their work in creating and sharing stories that inspire and entertain us. Many events are organized on World Book Day to showcase the work of authors and illustrators, including book signings, readings, and workshops.

Another important aspect of World Book Day is the protection of copyright. Copyright laws exist to protect the rights of authors and publishers, and they ensure that creators are fairly compensated for their work. World Book Day raises awareness about the importance of copyright and the need to protect the rights of creators.

In addition to promoting reading and celebrating authors, World Book Day also supports literacy programs and initiatives around the world.