How are you celebrating World Book and Copyright Day?
If you ask us, there's nothing better than an entire day dedicated to celebrating books and reading.
There’s something undeniably special about reading a book.
Beyond the magic of being transported into a different world, reading sparks your imagination and helps you create a private space in your mind that belongs to you alone.
Today is World Book and Copyright Day, a celebration of the joy of books and the pleasure of reading.
Every year on April 23, people around the globe come together to honour the unique power of books. They connect the past with the future and serve as a bridge between generations and across cultures.
On this day, UNESCO joins forces with the international organisations representing the book industry’s three key sectors: publishers, booksellers, and libraries.
This day also holds great significance in the world of literature, as it marks the passing of several legendary authors, including William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
World Book and Copyright Day encourages people everywhere to recognise the transformative power of books.
Books can bridge the gaps between generations and cultures, help us understand a time before us, and connect us to our collective history.
As part of the annual celebrations, UNESCO, together with international organisations representing publishers, booksellers, and libraries, selects a World Book Capital.
The chosen city commits to promoting books and reading across all ages and sectors of society, both locally and internationally.
This year, the honour goes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city will lead a project that showcases how books can drive social change, with a focus on literacy, education, and poverty reduction.
At the heart of the initiative is the goal to create lasting, sustainable economic benefits through the power of reading.
While World Book and Copyright Day celebrates the joy of reading, it’s also a moment to acknowledge the vital roles played by publishers, booksellers, and libraries.
UNESCO emphasises the importance of protecting the rights of creators – whether they produce books, music, research, or visual art – and recognising the value of their contributions to culture and knowledge.
“In 1952, UNESCO helped launch the Universal Copyright Convention, introducing the © symbol as a global safeguard for intellectual and creative work. On World Book and Copyright Day, we highlight both the right to share ideas and the right to be credited and protected for them,” says UNESCO.
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
- Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
- Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606.
- Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
Image courtesy of iStock