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World Book Day, celebrated around the world on April 23, is a commemoration of the potential of books and literature to shape minds, unite people, and inspire social transformation. It brings together readers, authors, and illustrators. World Book Day is celebrated every year in April, encouraging everyone to enlighten themselves with the power of books.
Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1995, the day commemorates the passing away of literary legends such as William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, all of whom passed away on this day. The day is also known as World Book and Copyright Day, stressing the importance of reading and copyright rights.
Theme for 2025
The official theme of World Book and Copyright Day 2025 is "The role of literature in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)". The theme demonstrates how reading and books can improve the world by increasing worldwide awareness of challenges, promoting positive change, and assisting the United Nations' 17 SDGs, which vary from eradicating poverty to quality education and gender equality.
Key Details at a Glance
- Date: April 23, 2025 (Globally; some countries may celebrate on different dates).
- Theme: “The role of literature in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
- World Book Capital 2025: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Focus: Promoting literacy and reading, protecting copyright, embracing diversity, and making reading accessible for all.
Objectives and Significance
World Book Day serves several key objectives:
- Promoting Literacy: Encourages people of all ages to pick up books, thereby enhancing literacy and lifelong learning.
- Supporting Publishing and Copyright: Raises awareness about the importance of protecting authors’ rights and the value of intellectual property.
- Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Emphasizes the need to protect and promote indigenous languages and diverse voices in literature.
- Bridging Cultures: Books connect people across cultures, fostering empathy and understanding.
- Inspiring Change: Literature has the power to influence both personal growth and societal transformation.
UNESCO also awards a World Book Capital annually to promote world literature celebrations. In 2025, the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is designated to receive this distinction for its devotion to literature, sustainable publishing, and the promotion of reading amongst young people, particularly through digital innovation.
Top 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time
| Rank | Title | Author(s) | Estimated Sales |
| 1 | The Bible | Various | 5–7 billion |
| 2 | Quotations of Chairman Mao Tse-Tung | Mao Zedong | ~900 million |
| 3 | The Quran | Islamic tradition | 800 million–3 billion |
| 4 | Don Quixote | Miguel de Cervantes | ~500 million |
| 5 | A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens | ~200 million |
| 6 | The Lord of the Rings | J.R.R. Tolkien | ~150 million |
| 7 | The Little Prince | Antoine de Saint-Exupéry | ~140 million |
| 8 | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone | J.K. Rowling | ~120 million |
| 9 | And Then There Were None | Agatha Christie | ~100 million |
| 10 | Dream of the Red Chamber | Cao Xueqin | ~100 million |
Why is World Book Day Celebrated?
World Book Day is celebrated to honor writers, make the culture of reading better, and make certain that the book culture survives in a digital era. It serves as a reminder of the inimitable contributions of books and authors towards social and cultural development, and it seeks to bring reading to the mass with an emphasis on children from underprivileged groups.
Ideas and Ways to Celebrate
World Book Day is marked by a variety of activities in schools, libraries, and communities worldwide. Here are some engaging ideas:
- Book Swaps and Fairs: Organize events where people can exchange books or purchase them at discounted prices, making reading accessible to all.
- Reading Challenges: Encourage children and adults to read a certain number of books or pages within a set period.
- Author Visits and Storytelling Sessions: Invite local authors or storytellers to share their work and inspire readers.
- Costume Parades: Children dress up as their favorite book characters, making reading fun and interactive.
- Creative Workshops: Host art, writing, or STEM-related workshops linked to popular books or themes.
- Book Donations: Collect and donate books to underprivileged schools, libraries, or community centers.
- Family Reading Time: Set aside time for families to read together, fostering a love for books at home.
World Book Day 2025 is a call to recognize the transformative power of literature and to ensure that every person, especially every child, has the opportunity to discover the joy of reading.
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