World Book and Copyright Day: April 23

Every year the World Book and Copyrights Day is celebrated on April 23 by UNESCO. UNESCO is United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. This year, to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO has created “Bookface Challenge”.

About World Book and Copyrights Day

The first World Book and Copyrights Day was celebrated in 1995. The UNESCO Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance is awarded on this day. Also, the day will increase the understanding of copyright laws and other measures that protect intellectual properties.

Why on April 23?

The UNESCO decided to celebrate the World Book and Copyrights Day on April 23 as it is the death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilasco de la Vega.

World Book Day in different regions

• In Catalonia (Spain), the World Book Day is celebrated as St George’s Day since 1436. On this day, people exchange gifts between loved ones. Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain.
• In Spain, the World Book Day is being celebrated since 1926 on October 7. This is because Miguel de Cervantes was born on October 7.
• In Sweden, the World Book Day is called the Varldsbokdagen. It is celebrated on April 13.
• In UK and Ireland, they organise an event called the “World Book Night” to celebrate the World Book Day.
• The World Book Day is celebrated as a street festival in the US.

World Book Capital

Every year UNESCO and other international organisations select World Book Capital for a one-year capital. This year Tbilisi of Georgia has been selected as the World Book Capital.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2021