World Book and Copyright Day 2009
Celebrate Reading and Intellectual Property With UNESCO on April 23
Apr 21, 2009
The World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD), also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days, was established at the UNESCO General Meeting in 1995 and is a worldwide tribute to books and authors, publishing and protecting intellectual property through copyright. The idea for WBCD originated in Catalonia where on April 23, Saint George's Day is celebrated by gifting a rose with each book sold.
The day is also meant as an encouragement, especially for young people, to discover reading and is therefore an opportunity for authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions and the mass media to come together and promote reading and education. Partners of WBCD are the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the International Publishers Association (IPA).
World Book and Copyright Day Events in 2009
WBCD is a worldwide event aided in each participating country by UNESCO National Commissions, UNESCO clubs, centers and associations and associated schools and libraries. For events in a particular country, check UNESCO’s list of WBCD 2009 initiatives. Here are some highlights among the worldwide celebrations:
- People in Andorra la Vella in Andorra can take part in a public reading at the village square on April 23.
- A café in Bilbao, Spain, will gift a book to each customer in celebration.
- India’s Alma Library in Pune has organized an exhibition about the Copyright Awareness Campaign.
- The Mexican Booksellers Association will hold a reading marathon on April 23 in Tacamac.
- The Pakistan Library Council has organized a walk from the Press Club to the Arts Council in Karachi on April 25.
The Significance of World Book and Copyright Day
Books and reading today are as important as ever, maybe even more so as they balance people’s growing virtual lives and television consumption. Only through reading does each reader establish a dialogue with the author of a text that differs according to the imagination of each reader. Books are therefore important means of cultural identity that anyone should have access to.
UNESCO’s director general explained the connection between books, copyright and peace at WBCD 2003: "A growing number of people, in all regions and all walks of life, are becoming increasingly aware of the major issues involved…. Books and copyright, as driving forces for the creativity of every people, play a prominent part in the battle for peace. I therefore hope that this Day will be marked by a large number of successful initiatives the world over."
World Book and Copyright Day is a good opportunity for teachers, educators and librarians worldwide to educate their communities about intellectual property and the value of reading. Readers and authors can do what they like best – to engage in an interactive dialogue.
Read about how pirated books affect the book publishing industry, the upcoming World eBook Fair and what UNESCO's City of Literature model is.
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