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Theme:
The theme of World Book and Copyright Day 2022 will be ‘Read…So you never feel alone.’
World Book and Copyright Day is observed globally on April 23. This is an annual event by UNESCO to honors authors and books. In addition, the day is observed to promote the benefits of reading books, and protect copyrights. Also known as World Book Day or International Day of the Book, this day is now celebrated in over 100 countries whereby various activities are held and supported by the book industry.
History:
The idea of celebrating a day of the book was first conceived by the Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andres to pay honour to the author Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote).
Andres celebrated the day on 7 October first to mark the birth anniversary of Cervantes, and later on 23 April to mark his death anniversary. Finally, in 1995, UNESCO decided on the date of 23 April to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day worldwide as many other authors like William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died on the same day.
However, there is a plot twist regarding the date. While Spain was following Gregorian Calendar back in the medieval era, the Julian Calendar was being followed in England. As per Gregorian Calendar, Shakespeare died ten days after Cervantes’ death. Thus, the death anniversary of both authors falls on the same date, but coincidentally the day was not the same.
Some believe that idea for World Book Day owes its origins to Catalonia's Saint George's Day. The people of the region commemorate the day every year on 23 April to celebrate their patron saint, as well as their love of books and culture.
Significance:
UNESCO celebrates the day to pay honour to three major sectors of the publishing industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries. The day is now seen as a platform to promote literacy and make people aware of the benefits of reading books. People across the globe come together on World Book Day to celebrate their love of reading. Many organisations organise talk shows and discussions about the importance of books and their role in disseminating knowledge.
WHY IS IT CELEBRATED?
April 23 is believed to be a symbolic date in world literature because many prominent authors such as William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died on this date. Besides, April 23 is also the date of birth or death for other famous authors such as Maurice Druon, Halldor K. Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla, and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.
As a result, in 1995, this day was finalised by the UNESCO General Conference to pay tribute to and honour authors and books worldwide. Last year, UNESCO arranged a book face challenge as a part of the World Book Day 2021 celebrations where Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, was chosen as the World Book Capital with the theme of “To share a story”.
On this occasion, here are some amazing quotes on books that you must know: Quotes for World Book and Copyright Day 2022:
“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library"- Albert Einstein
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world"- Malala Yousafzai
“Reading is a conversation. All the books talk. But a good book listens as well"- Mark Haddon
“There is no friend as loyal as a book"- Ernest Hemingway
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read"- Mark Twain
“Books are a uniquely portable magic’- Stephen King
