What is World Book Day?
An auspicious day dedicated to book lovers around the globe, World Book Day is an annual event commemorated on 23rd April every year. The day has another significance for being the birthday of globally acclaimed English poet, playwright and actor, William Shakespeare. On this day, readers, authors, copywriters and illustrators from every corner of the world collaborate and interact with each other with the sole aim of promoting reading, writing, publishing books and copywriting. Its other names like International Day of the Book and World Book and Copyright Day widens its importance and expands its avenues.
Who organizes the World Book Day?
World Book Day is organized by United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was first celebrated on 23rd April 1995. UNESCO sources confirmed that 23rd April was arrived at after conducting extensive discussions and giving it a serious thought so that it wouldn’t clash with other festivals, religious occasions, school terms, charitable events, etc.
Who can take part in the World Book Day?
The globally acknowledged event is home to people from all communities and background. From children to film stars, people throwback to past achievements in the field of writing and publishing books spanning across all genres. It opens up platforms for new ideas, concepts and stories with a hope to rope in every citizen in its celebrations.
How is World Book Day celebrated around the world?
In schools and educational institutions, children take part in fancy dress competitions where they dress like their favourite authors or characters. Such a culture is promoted among the students to enable them to connect better with their much-loved books and stories and continue with their reading habits. It is said that children, when encouraged to read books, automatically perform better in their studies.
Many discussion forums are held across the world in the presence of renowned writers, publishers, poets and others. The stalwarts give their views on improving the art of reading and writing books. People exchange ideas, thoughts and perceptions and together they contribute to the enrichment of books.
Book launches are also common. Writers share stage with film actors. Promotional activities are also conducted on this grand day.
Celebrations are not limited to educational institutions. Even the fashion industry embraces the day with events like fashion shows and fancy dress featuring stars as well as kids.
In UK and Ireland, World Book Day is rejoiced on the first Thursday in the month of March. It is because 23rd April often clashes with Easter holidays. In England, the day is also the National Saint’s Day or St. George’s Day, which is why it commemorates the day in March.
In Sweden, 23rd is celebrated as Varldsbokdagen (regional name of World Book Day).
Spain deserves a special mention for dedicating two days to ‘Readathon’ where the Cervantes’s Don Quixote is read in full length. The King of Spain, Alcara de Heranes presents the Miguel de Cervantes prize to the winners. It does not end here. People even exchange books and look forward to it like the Valentine’s Day.
People of USA gather in the streets and observe 23rd April as a street festival.
