World Book and Copyright Day 2018 observed globally

23 April: World Book and Copyright Day

The World Book and Copyright Day was observed across the world on April 23, 2017 to highlight the power of books and to promote UNESCO’s vision of knowledge societies that are inclusive, pluralistic, equitable, open and participatory for all citizens.

The World Book and Copyright Day pays tribute to books and authors by encouraging everyone to discover the pleasure of reading.

World Book Capital for 2018: Athens, Greece

Every year, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) along with the international organisations representing the three major sectors of the book industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for the period of one year with effect from 23 April each year.

This year, UNESCO designated Athens, Greece as the World Book Capital for 2018. The city of Athens was chosen for its efforts in making books available to the city’s entire population including migrants and refugees.

Background

• 23 April is considered as a symbolic date for world literature. In 1616, on this date, Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died.

• The Day also marks the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Haldor K Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov and Manuel Mejia Vallejo.

• Considering the importance of this day, the UNESCO proclaimed 23 April as the World Book and Copyright Day in 1995.