World Book Day, celebrated by
UNESCO and other related organisations, is the global celebration of books and
reading material observed in more than 100 countries. Also known as World Book
and Copyright Day, it is an occasion to promote the joy of books and the art of
reading.
April 23 was selected by UNESCO to
pay homage to renowned literary figures. During the UNESCO General Conference,
Paris in 1995, this date was finalised to honour authors and books worldwide.
Theme
A theme of this day says these words;
“Books have the unique ability both to entertain and to teach. They are at once
a means of exploring realms beyond our personal experience through exposure to
different authors, universes and cultures, and a means of accessing the deepest
recesses of our inner selves.”
History
The idea to observe World Book Day
was first conceived by a Valencian writer as a means to honour the renowned
author, Miguel de Cervantes (best-known for Don Quixote).
Significance
This day is celebrated worldwide
to recognise the scope of books as a link between the past and the future,
along with being a cultural and generational bridge. UNESCO and organisations
representing publishers, booksellers and libraries select the World Book
Capital for a year to maintain the celebrations of books and reading.
The day has become a platform for people across the globe, especially the stakeholders of the literary world including authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs and the mass media to come together to promote literacy and help everyone get access to educational resources.
Here are some quotes on books by famous authors which all
book-lovers can enjoy and share:
“That’s the thing about books.
They let you travel without moving your feet.”
– Jhumpa Lahiri in The Namesake
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because
they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be
beaten.”
– Neil Gaiman in Coraline
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
– Stephen King in On Writing
“I do believe something very magical can
happen when you read a book.”
– J.K. Rowling
“Words were different when they lived inside
of you.”
– Benjamin Alire Saenz in
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
― Ernest Hemingway
“A great book should leave you
with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several
lives while reading.”