Every year, World Book Day is celebrated on April 23rd to promote the habit of reading books. It is dedicated to all the book lovers across the world.
Storytelling is an incredibly effective tool when it comes to educating younger generations. Spending just 10 minutes a day reading and sharing stories with children can make a crucial difference to their future success.
Books have long helped us conjure up worlds, both real and imagined.They help us share ideas, obtain information, and inspire admiration for different cultures.
UNESCO chose this date to pay a world-wide tribute to the authors and books, as 23rd April happens to be the death anniversary of William Shakespeare. The day also marks the departure of the influential Spanish poet Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and author Miguel de Cervantes of ‘Don Quixote’ fame.
The original idea of celebrating Book Day was conceived way back in 1922 in Spain, where it was quite popular, especially in the Catalonia region. UNESCO made it a world wide affair by celebrating the First World Book Day on 23rd April 1995.
Several educational institutions and leading libraries of the world join the World Book Day Celebration by observing many creative events. During the two years of Covid 19 pandemic, most events had moved to the online platform. But 2022 is witnessing some kind of revival of old ways of celebrating the day.
World Book Capital
On this occasion, UNESCO along with international organizations representing publishers, booksellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for a year.
In 2022, the Mexican city of Guadalajara is taking up the mantle of World Book Capital, with a year-long programme that focuses on the role of books and reading in triggering social change, combating violence, and building a culture of peace.
Madrid, the capital of Spain was designated as the first World Book Capital in 2001. New Delhi, which is home to the largest number of publishers in India, had held this honour in 2003.
What can we do ?
All of us can also join the World Book Day celebration by choosing any easy to do activity like beginning to read a new book, buy or order online a new book of your choice, gift books to your friends, donate books to a neighbourhood library, read stories to young children at home and many more.
Reading or Listening !
Audio books are now becoming popular, especially with the younger generation. Although the World Book Day intends to promote the habit of ‘reading books’, I do not see any dichotomy in ‘listening to books’, as long as those books serve their purpose of educating us to become better human beings.
What do you think about audio books ? Do let me know !
MD BlogPost / XVII
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