Unleash the Delight of Reading

                                          

It has been aptly said that’’ Books are great friends and companions of men.’’ Despite digital revolution and internet age, the scope and importance of books stands and people take interest in reading books, newspapers, journals ,magazines et al. World Book Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 23rd of April with great fanfare, enthusiasm and on this occasion, people resolve to make all aware about the need and value of reading books in the present age of technology and internet. Despite digital revolution, the scope of books does not decline but it becomes intense with each passing day and the book lovers take pleasure and pride in this reality. At the same time, it is all the more important to popularize books so that readers are benefited by studying books of varied substance. As outlined at the outset World Day/Book copyright Day celebrated every year on April 23 by UNESCO in over 100 countries promotes reading, publishing, and copyright protection. Established in 1995, it honours literature. particularly honouring authors like Shakespeare and Cervantes, while encouraging children to explore the pleasure of books.

        Key Aspects of World Book Day: 

1) Significance of April 23 - Chosen by UNESCO as it marks the anniversary of the death of prominent authors, including William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Gracilaso de la Vega.

2) Purpose : The day is dedicated to celebrating the joy of reading, encouraging children to own books, and recognizing the power of literature to connect cultures.

3) History : Conceived in 1922 in Spain by Vicente Clavel as a way to honour Cervantes, it was officially recognised by UNESCO in 1995.

4) Activities: Schools and organizations celebrate by distributing free books, organising reading sessions, and hosting dress -up days where children appear as their favourite book characters. 

5). Global Impact:It serves as a global, yearly celebration to promote literacy and fight against book marginalization.

 How to Celebrate –

1) Read a Book: Dedicate time to reading for pleasure.

2) Donate: Support libraries and charities that provide books to children.

3)- Visit Libraries: Participate in local library events or bookshops.

The UK and Ireland often observe a separate world book day in March, which is a registered charity focusing heavily on giving children access to their own books. World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. The first World Book Day was celebrated on 23rd of April 1995,and continues to be recognised on that day .A related event in the UK and Ireland ,Also Called World Book Day ,is observed in March .On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO along with advisory committee from major sectors of the book industry ,select the World Book Capital for one year. Each designated World Book Capital city carries out a program of activities to celebrate and promote books and reading. The original idea was conceived in 1922 by Vicente Clavel ,director of Cervantes publishing house in Barcelona ,as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes  and boost the sales of books .It was first celebrated in Spain on 7 October 1926,Cervantes birthday ,before being moved to his death date ,23 April ,in 1930.In Catalonia ,the celebration coincided with Saint George ‘s Day  in honour of its patron saint and, as a result ,the Book Day merged with the original festivity  and continues with great popularity in Catalonia, where it also referred to as The Day of Books and Roses. In 1995,UNESCO decided that the World Book Day  and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23rd April ,as the date is also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilads de la Vega ,as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors. Shakespeare and Cervantes died on the same date –23rd April 1616 –but not on the same day .as at the time, Spain used the Gregorian calendar and England used the Julian calendar. Shakespeare actually died 11 days after Cervantes, and Cervantes died on 22rd April but was buried a day after, on 23rd April.

 World Book Capital -The World Book Capital (WBC)is an initiative of UNESCO which recognises cities for promoting books and fostering reading for a year starting on 23April, World Book and Copyright Day, Cities designated as UNESCO World Book capital carry out activities with the aim of encouraging a culture of reading in all ages and sharing UNESCO’s values. UNESCO adopted the 31c /Resolution 29,in 2001 establishing the World Book Capital programme and naming Madrid as the first WBC city in 2001. The advisory committee is composed of UNESCO ,the International Publishers Association. the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the International Authors Forum and the International Booksellers Federation.

World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated by UNESCO on April 23, promotes reading, publishing, and copyright protection to foster education and bridge cultural divides. It honours the power of literature to connect generation’s encourage literacy, and support sustainable development, often by providing children with their first books.

          Core Purposes of World Book Day:- 

1). Promoting Literacy and Reading for Pleasure:- A primary focus is encouraging children and adults to discover the joy of reading, particularly in schools, and communities where access to books might be limited, It, highlights that reading improves vocabulary, concentration, and empathy. 

2). Celebrating Authors and Literature:- The date commemorates literary giants like William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, honouring the written word’s impact.

3). Protecting Intellectual Property:-The day promotes copyright awareness, advocating for the rights of authors and publishers, which is crucial for fostering creativity and publishing.

4). Cultural Exchange & Heritage:- Books are celebrated as repositories of cultural heritage and collective memory, bridging diverse cultures and generations.

5). Combating Poverty Through Education:- By fostering literacy, the initiative supports global education goals, noting that better reading skills can significantly reduce poverty.

6). Social Inclusion & Access:- 

Organisations, particularly in UK/Ireland, often use this day to provide children from all backgrounds with free books or resources.

We should love to the reading of books and champion the cause of loving books and reading them for joy, pleasure, information and education. Reading of books in fact improves children’s lives. Love reading books for pleasure, resources, ideas, and activities that can encourage a love of reading on World Book Day and throughout the year. In short,we should popularise books in this age of internet and encourage children, adults and elderly people to make it a habit to read books as after all books are our big companions. Books lighten us in good and adverse days and so we should read and study books of varied materials and thus promote reading of books. World Book Day should not become a ritualistic celebration but on this day, people should resolve to read books for joy, pleasure, education and what not?

 (Writer: Omkar Dattatray, senior Journalist)