World Book Day 2020: Theme, History, Significance And Capital

April 23 is celebrated as World Book and Copyright Day by UNESCO and other related organizations. Observed in more than 100 countries, it is celebration of books and reading material. Also, it is homage to renowned literary figures including William Shakespeare, Miguel Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

World Book Day 2020 theme

Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, gave the theme in his words. He said that books had the unique ability both to entertain and to teach. There were at once a means of exploring realms beyond the personal experience through exposure to different authors, universes and cultures.

History of World Book Day

Theidea was to honor the renowned author, Miguel de Cervantes better known for Don Quixote. Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andressuggested celebrating a World Book Day on October 7, the birth anniversary of Cervantes but he later changed the date to April 23, that is the death anniversary of Cervantes. Co-incidentally, several other renowned authors have death anniversaries on April 23.

Significance of World Book Day

It is celebrated to recognize the role of books as a link between the past and the future. And it is an addition to being a cultural and generational bridge. UNESCO selects the World Book Capital for a year to continue celebrations of books and reading. Last year, Sharjah in UAE was the capital and this year, Kuala Lumpur is recognized as the capital.

The World Book Day is used as a platform for authors, publishers, readers and NGOs and everyone to come together to promote readership and literacy.

Source: https://bit.ly/2S23aVJ

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