- World Book Day also known as World Book and Copyright Day.
- It is being observed on 23 April to promote reading, publishing and copyright.
- The theme of World Book Day 2021 is “Share a Story”.
- The day seeks to encourage everyone and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading.
- It also wants them to gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those, who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had created this day and was first observed in 1995.
- It is on this date in 1616 Miguel de Cervantes (greatest Spanish writer), William Shakespeare (greatest English writer) and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all have died.
- World Book Day has a strong connection with schools, and it’s used worldwide to allow school children to engage with reading and their favourite books.
- It’s not just a day to indulge a love of books, but also a day where children and young people can gain access to books.
- On this day many authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs, and the mass media gather to promote literacy and help everyone get access to educational resources as the books are the cultural and generational bridge.
- Last year in 2020, in light of this occasion, the Union Ministry of Education launched the My Book My Friend
- The UNESCO Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance is awarded.
- Also, this day will increase understanding among people regarding copyright laws and other measures to protect intellectual copyright.
- This day celebrations focuses on literature and reading particularly emphasise on the importance of enhancing and protecting Indigenous languages.
- World Book Day is used to celebrate to make the people gain all the required knowledge to them for their welfare and betterment of the people.
