World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on April 23rd.
The day was first established by UNESCO in 1995 to promote reading, publishing, and protection of intellectual property through copyright laws.
The date was chosen to honor the death anniversary of some of the most renowned writers in history, including Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of books and reading, and to encourage people to appreciate the power of literature in fostering creativity, education, and understanding across cultures.
Every year, a different city is designated as the World Book Capital by UNESCO, where special events and activities are organized to promote reading and the publishing industry.
The first city to be named the World Book Capital was Madrid, Spain in 2001, and the most recent city is Tbilisi, Georgia in 2021.
UNESCO also awards the World Book and Copyright Day Prize to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion of books and reading.
In some countries, World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated as a public holiday, with schools, libraries, and cultural institutions organizing book fairs, literary festivals, and workshops.
The day also highlights the importance of copyright protection in ensuring the economic rights of authors and publishers, and promoting innovation and creativity.
The theme for World Book and Copyright Day changes every year, reflecting the diversity of literary traditions and the evolving role of books in shaping society.