© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Books have been a vital source of knowledge and entertainment for humans for centuries, spanning various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and self-published works. To celebrate the importance of literature and reading, World Book and Copyright Day is observed annually on April 23.
This day was initiated by UNESCO to promote reading habits, particularly among the younger generation, in today’s world where information is abundant from various sources. Every year, UNESCO selects the World Book Capital for one year, which carries out a programme of activities to celebrate and promote books and reading. This year, Strasbourg has been selected as the World Book Capital.
This day serves as a reminder of the significant contributions made by these authors to the literary world and is an opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and the power of books to shape our lives.
World Book and Copyright Day is an annual event celebrated on April 23, organised by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. First celebrated in 1995, the origin of the day was proposed in 1922 by Vicente Clavel Andres, a publisher from Barcelona, Spain, as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes and boost the sales of books.
The celebration was initially held on Cervantes’ birthday, October 7, before being moved to his death date, April 23, 1930. The date of April 23 was chosen to honour the death anniversaries of notable literary figures such as William Shakespeare, Miguel Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as the birth anniversaries of other greats like Haldor K. Laxness, Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla, and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.
The theme for this year’s World Book and Copyright Day is “Read Your Way,” which aims to promote a love of reading for everyone, regardless of their age or background. It encourages people to explore the written word in any format or genre and discover the joy and enrichment that come with it.
Reading is not just about gaining knowledge. It also sparks imagination, fuels creativity, and enhances critical thinking skills. UNESCO promotes books and authors, highlighting the power of literature to foster cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the exchange of ideas.
In addition, the Copyright Day draws attention to the importance of copyright protection. Copyright laws are crucial in safeguarding the rights of authors, publishers, and all creative minds. They ensure that creators receive recognition and fair compensation for their intellectual efforts, promoting a thriving literary and artistic landscape.
This special day sees book fairs, author readings, workshops, storytelling sessions, and discussions on copyright issues taking place around the world. Diverse entities collaborate to promote literacy and raise awareness about intellectual property rights, from schools and libraries to bookstores and cultural institutions.
In essence, this day is a celebration of the transformative power of books, as it enable us to unlock a world of knowledge, imagination, and illumination.
