Day for books and authors

Ganga PRADEEPA

Books and reading are as important today as ever. World Book and Copyright Day is an occasion to celebrate the contribution of books and authors to our global culture and the connection between copyright and books. There are books on all subjects, for all publics and for all times. But we must make sure that books are accessible to everybody everywhere. Books are a powerful means of external projection and can become an important factor in material well-being.

Reading

World Book and Copyright Day is an occasion to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors and to encourage people to discover the pleasure of reading. It is hoped that this will lead to the renewed respect for those who have made irreplaceable contributions to social and cultural progress.

April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature. In the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K. Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.

Tribute

It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. By celebrating this Day throughout the world, UNESCO seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.

The connection between April, 23 and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia, Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day.

This became a part of the celebrations of the Saint George's Day in the region, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in exchange.

Half the yearly sales of books in Catalonia are at this time with over 400,000 sold and exchanged for over 4 million roses.

For the 2009 edition of the Day, UNESCO suggests to explore the topic of the paramount function of books for the development of quality education, as well as the link between publishing and human rights.

Events

In this respect, UNESCO created both the World Book and Copyright Day and the UNESCO Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature in the Service of Tolerance. A series of events will take place on April, 23 at UNESCO Headquarters.

A 'big read', a round table on literate environments and the official launching of the Beirut World Book Capital City 2009, are included in the program of the Day.

By celebrating this Day throughout the world, UNESCO seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.

Copyright

The future of books and copyright is a question that concerns us all. It is not something that just can be left to specialists, political and economic decision-makers, authors, publishers and educators.

It concerns all those who dream of a world in which knowledge is shared and the values of tolerance, solidarity and dialogue can flourish.

Networks

At a time of exponential growth of electronic and television networks, books are exceptionally useful instruments for the expression of cultural identity.

The distribution of books is essential for the promotion of cultural diversity.

Let us not forget, either, the key role played by translators, without whom inter cultural dialogue through books would not be possible. Books are a powerful means of external projection and can become an important factor in material well-being.

We must therefore work unceasingly to ensure the success of the industry on which their existence depends.

Information

Whatever form they may take, from the most traditional to the most innovative, books offer, now more than ever, an irreplaceable medium of information, critical reflection and education.

They are thus a basis for the edifice, constantly in need of consolidation, formed by democracy, human rights and fundamental freedom, essential facets of which are both protection of authors' rights and fair public access to their works.

A growing number of people, in all regions and all walks of life, are becoming increasingly aware of the major issues involved, and this affords me great satisfaction.

Books and copyright, as driving forces for the creativity of every people, play a prominent part in the battle for peace.

Literary competitions

A range of activities to promote reading and the cultural aspects of books are held all over the world such as relay readings of books and plays, the distribution of bookmarks, the announcement of the winners of literary competitions and actions to promote the understanding of laws on copyright and the protection of authors' intellectual property.

Purpose of the day World Book and Copyright Day is an occasion to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors and to encourage people to discover the pleasure of reading.

It is hoped that this will lead to the renewed respect for those who have made irreplaceable contributions to social and cultural progress. In some years, the UNESCO Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature in the Service of Tolerance is awarded. It is also hoped that World Book and Copyright Day will increase people's understanding of and adherence to copyright laws and other measures to protect intellectual copyright.

Symbols each year a poster is designed and distributed around the world. It features images designed to encourage people, particularly children, to read books and appreciate literature. There is also a logo for World Book and Copyright Day. It features a circle, representing the world, and two books, one of which is open.

Today (23) we will celebrate the 14th World Book and Copyright Day, proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 1995 to promote greater awareness of the importance of books in the world.