World Book Day

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sponsors World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, every year to encourage reading, publishing, and copyright. The original World Book Day was observed on April 23, 1995, and it is still observed on that date. In March, the United Kingdom and Ireland observe a similar occasion.

The World Book Capital is chosen by UNESCO and an advisory committee made up of representatives from the major book industry sectors on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day. Each city that has been named the World Book Capital implements a programme of events to honour and promote books and reading.

History of World Book Day

Books did not always have glossy covers and smooth pages like they do today. Clay tablets were used when writing systems were developed in prehistoric civilizations thousands of years ago. Papyrus was later used by humanity. The first people to create something that resembled modern books in that it was made of numerous thick, bamboo pages stitched together were the Chinese in the third century. Then, in the middle of the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, ushering in an era when books were easily accessible to anyone who wanted to read them. We are all able to enjoy Shakespeare, Tolstoy, and many other authors’ works in the comfort of our own homes today because of that brilliant invention. However, the association between that day and books was first made in Spain in 1923 because it marks the passing of both William Shakespeare and renowned Spanish chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

There were a few suggestions for when this day should occur. A Valencian author named Vicente Clavel Andrés first proposed having the day coincide with a celebration of Miguel de Cervantes. Either October 7 would be his birthday or April 23 would be his passing.

The latter date was picked because it coincided with the passing of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. In fact, a number of other well-known writers have also passed away on April 23; perhaps authors should avoid using this date!

Despite the fact that UNESCO was the organisation behind the creation of this day, some nations observe it on other days of the year. For instance, Sweden, the UK, and Ireland all hold their respective World Book Day celebrations on different days. However, since its inception in 1995, the international day has always been celebrated on the same day.

World Book Day 2023: Date and Theme

In the UK and Ireland, it is observed on March 2 this year (it falls on the first Thursday of March typically). It takes place on April 23 in more than 100 other nations.

The theme for this year is “you are a reader,” which exhorts all children to embrace what it means to be readers, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Ways to Support World Book Day

Here are a few ways to support this day:

• Shop at independent bookstores around the world. Some of our favourites in the United States are Blue Bicycle Books in Charleston, Birchbark Books & Native Arts in Minneapolis, and Little City Books in Hoboken, all of which pay special attention to children’s books.
• Donate used books to the public library in your area.
• Give to book charities like Books for Africa, Libraries Without Borders, and Book Aid International, which all provide books to the underprivileged and libraries in refugee camps, hospitals, and schools. For U.S. K–5th-grade students and their classrooms, a different nonprofit organisation called Our Kids Read donates books with inspiring characters from various cultures, including Native American, Black, Hispanic, and Southeast Asian.

Online Events for World Book Day

Here are some online events for kids to participate in on this day. Check them out:

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