International Book Day

International Book Day is celebrated every April 23: on your marks, get ready to read!

Book Day is an annual celebration held on April 23rd in many countries around the world. This date was chosen in honor of two of the most famous writers in history, William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, who died on the same day in 1616.

The importance of this celebration lies in the promotion of reading and the dissemination of culture. Books are an inexhaustible source of knowledge and entertainment, and it is essential to encourage their use to ensure access to information and education.

In many countries, Book Day is celebrated with different activities, such as book fairs, exhibitions, meetings with authors, public readings, among others. In addition, on this date, promotions and discounts are usually held in bookstores and libraries to encourage the purchase and lending of books. The celebration of Book Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of reading in our lives and in society in general. Reading allows us to expand our horizons, learn about other realities and cultures, improve our capacity for analysis and reflection, and develop our creativity. It is essential that we encourage the promotion of reading and facilitate access to books for all people, regardless of age, gender, origin or social status.

The Book Day is a very important date for the world of culture and education, and reminds us of the importance of reading as a tool for personal and social development. So, come and celebrate this day by reading your favorite book or discovering a new one!

The Book Day and UNESCO

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is one of the international organizations that has worked hardest for the promotion of reading and the promotion of books around the world. That is why in 1995 UNESCO proclaimed April 23rd as World Book and Copyright Day.

The objective of this celebration is to promote reading, the publishing industry and protect the intellectual property of authors. It also seeks to promote cultural, linguistic and literary diversity and the accessibility of books to all citizens.

UNESCO has worked to promote World Book Day through various initiatives, such as the creation of the International Library Program (ILP), the organization of book fairs and the promotion of literacy around the world. It has also established prizes and awards to recognize the work of those who have contributed significantly to the dissemination of culture and reading.

Each year, UNESCO selects a city as World Book Capital to highlight its commitment to culture and literature. This city is selected for its work in promoting the publishing industry, encouraging reading and defending copyright. The chosen capital organizes different events throughout the year to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day.

UNESCO has been one of the main promoters of World Book and Copyright Day, and has worked tirelessly to promote culture, reading and literary diversity around the world. This celebration is an opportunity to highlight the importance of books as a source of knowledge and entertainment, and to promote accessibility to reading for all citizens.

World Book Capital: Río de Janeiro (Brasil) 2025

Each year, UNESCO selects a city that has demonstrated a strong commitment to the promotion of books and reading, and has developed outstanding initiatives in the field of literature and the publishing industry. The chosen city becomes the World Book Capital for an entire year, and during that time, organizes a series of activities and events related to the world of books and reading.

The designation of a city as World Book Capital is an opportunity to encourage reading and literacy, promote cultural and linguistic diversity, and raise awareness of the importance of books and libraries in society. In addition, this initiative also aims to improve access to books and libraries in the selected city, and to foster the local publishing industry.

The designation of a city as World Book Capital is a UNESCO initiative that seeks to highlight the fundamental role that books, libraries and reading play in promoting culture and development, and that contributes to improving access to books and literacy around the world.

List of World Book Capitals

The title of World Book Capital has been awarded since 2001 and these are the cities that have been selected in previous editions:

Madrid (2001)

Alejandría (2002)

Nueva Delhi (2003)

Amberes (2004)

Montreal (2005)

Turín (2006)

Bogotá (2007)

Ámsterdam (2008)

Beirut (2009)

Liubliana (2010)

Buenos Aires (2011)

Ereván (2012)

Bangkok (2013)

Port Harcourt (2014)

Incheon (2015)

Breslavia (2016)

Conakry (2017)

Atenas (2018)

Sharjah, (2019)

Kuala Lumpur (2020).

Tiflis (2021)

Guadalajara (2022)

Accra (2023)

Estrasburgo (2024)

Río de Janeiro (2025)

The Book Day is a day to reflect on the importance of reading.

Reading is an activity that can enrich our lives in many ways. Reading allows us to acquire knowledge, broaden our understanding of the world, improve our ability to concentrate and communicate, develop our imagination, improve our empathy and understanding of others, among other benefits.

Through reading, we can learn about different subjects, discover new cultures, get to know other perspectives and develop our critical capacity. In addition, reading helps us improve our language skills, including our ability to write, speak and listen.

Another important benefit of reading is its ability to reduce stress and improve mental health. By reading, we can escape from our everyday problems and immerse ourselves in imaginary worlds, which can help us reduce stress and anxiety levels.

It is important to remember that reading is not just limited to books. We can also read magazine articles, newspapers, blogs and other media. The key is to find something that interests us and enjoy the reading process.

In conclusion, reading is a fundamental activity for our personal and cultural development. It allows us to learn, grow and develop on many different levels, and is an excellent way to explore new horizons and discover new ideas.

How to create a reading habit in children:

Encouraging a reading habit in children is a valuable investment in their future, as it helps them develop language skills, communication skills and understanding of the world. Here are some tips on how to create a reading habit in children:

Start early: It is important to begin reading to children at an early age, even when they are infants. This helps establish the association between reading and parental comfort and security.

Pick the right time: Choose a time of day when children are relaxed and ready to listen, such as before bedtime or after dinner. This will help them connect reading with relaxation and quality time with their parents.
Create an inviting reading space: Create a comfortable, cozy space for reading, with soft cushions and blankets, and a selection of attractive, age-appropriate books.
Let children choose: Let children choose the books they want to read, allowing them to explore their own interests and develop a love of reading.
Make reading fun: Make reading fun and engaging by using different voices for characters and encouraging children to participate in the story. You can also do activities related to the books, such as drawing characters or acting out scenes from the story.
Be a role model: Children often imitate their parents, so make sure they also see you reading and enjoying books. This will teach them the importance of reading and give them a positive example to follow.

Encouraging a reading habit in children is a valuable investment in their future. With the right combination of attractive reading space, appropriate book choices and fun activities, parents can help their children develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime.

Literacy and Book Day

Book Day is a day of reflection that we also have to relate to literacy, although it has its own day to make the situation visible with International Literacy Day, which is celebrated every September 8.

According to UNESCO data, around 17% of the world’s population (around 773 million people) cannot read or write. Moreover, there is a significant gap between developed and developing countries. In low-income countries, the literacy rate is often much lower than in developed countries.

Lack of literacy has serious consequences for individuals and societies. It limits employment opportunities, participation in political and social life, and the ability to access important information. In addition, lack of literacy can contribute to poverty, discrimination and social exclusion.

Literacy is a fundamental skill that is essential for full and effective participation in society and the economy. It is important to work together to promote literacy around the world and ensure that all people have access to the education and skills they need to thrive.

Saint George’s Day: Catalan culture, literature, tradition and Book Day.

St. George’s Day is a traditional holiday celebrated in Catalonia, Spain, on April 23, which coincides with the World Book and Copyright Day proclaimed by UNESCO. It is a day to pay tribute to Catalan culture, literature and tradition.

The celebration of Saint George’s Day in Catalonia has a long history dating back to the 15th century. Legend has it that a dragon terrorized the population and that Saint George, a Christian knight, managed to defeat him and free the princess who was kidnapped. From the dragon’s blood a rose bush was born and Saint Jordi gave the princess a rose. Since then, in Catalonia this festivity is celebrated in which people give a rose and a book to their loved ones.

St. George’s Day becomes a great festive day in the streets of Barcelona and other Catalan cities. The streets are filled with stalls selling roses and books, and citizens give each other roses and books as a symbol of love, friendship and culture. In addition, various cultural and literary activities take place, such as book presentations, poetry readings, autograph signings of famous authors and concerts in the street.

For Catalans, St. George’s Day is a very special celebration and a unique opportunity to promote culture and reading, as well as to show love and friendship through the rose and the book. The tradition of St. George is one of the most popular in Spain and has spread to other parts of the world.

In conclusion, St. George’s Day and World Book and Copyright Day are two celebrations that coincide on the same date and have the common goal of promoting culture, literature and reading. St. George’s Day is a very special holiday in Catalonia in which a rose and a book are given as a symbol of love, friendship and culture. It is a unique opportunity to promote reading and literacy and to enjoy culture in the street.

Book Day and Social Media

Social networks also have an important role to play, share and post quotes from your favorite authors with the hashtag #BookDay, on Twitter or Facebook, and help spread the love for literature. Let’s celebrate the geniuses of words digitally. Vicente Clavel perfectly defined the purpose of Book Day during a conversation with Gustavo Gili in 1636, stating, “St. George’s roses will always bloom. What we run the risk of losing is the memory of Cervantes.”

AltaLingua

AltaLingua is a trusted name in the translation and interpreting sector and provides language solutions in all languages for clients across the world. https://altalingua.co.uk/

International Book Day