World Book Day: Celebrating literature and culture
World Book Day is celebrated every year on the 23rd of April. It is celebrated in many different countries to promote the love of reading, publishing, and protecting intellectual property rights.
The date of April 23rd is a special day in the history of literature. It is the day that well-known authors William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes died, in 1616. Also, on this day other writers were born or died, such as Maurice Druon, K. Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla, or Manuel Mejía Vallejo. To respect their contributions to literature, UNESCO established World Book Day on April 23rd in 1995.
World Book Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries. Each country has its own customs and traditions. In the United Kingdom and Ireland book tokens are given to children to help them explore the world of literature. In Spain people exchange books as gifts and in Catalonia this day coincides with the day of the patron saint of Catalonia, Sant Jordi.
In many countries there are public readings, book fairs, and cultural events to promote reading and books. This day brings together authors, publishers, and readers. It is a time to appreciate the importance of storytelling and the importance that books have on individuals and societies.