World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on 23 April to promote the enjoyment of books and reading. It is a day where celebrations take place all over the world to acknowledge the significance of books as a connection between the past and the future, and as a means to bridge generations and cultures. UNESCO and international organizations representing publishers, booksellers, and libraries choose a World Book Capital each year to continue the momentum of the Day’s celebrations through various initiatives.
23 April holds symbolic importance in world literature as it marks the date of the deaths of renowned authors William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. This date was chosen by UNESCO’s General Conference in 1995 as a day to pay tribute to books and authors worldwide, encouraging people to engage with literature and access books. The celebration of World Book and Copyright Day serves as a reminder of the universal importance of reading and the impact books have on society.