UN Celebrates 2013 World Book and Copyright Day

In celebration of World Book and Copyright Day 2013, the United Nations highlights diversity and protection of the content (plots and protagonists) of books. The UN also seeks to increase awareness on literacy programs worldwide. And in addition, the UN intends to promote careers in book shops, schools, libraries and publishing so that men, women, and children all have access to the written word.

This year, the UNESCO has declared Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand as World Book Capital. Bangkok was chosen because it has a very good program to promote reading amongst the underprivileged sectors of Thai society as well as in young people. The national government of Thailand, in cooperation with local government units, is putting out much effort in order to inspire the Thai people to build a peaceful and resilient society by reading. The theme that was chosen by Bangkok for this year’s celebration is “Bangkok, Red for Life.”

The very first World Book and Copyright Day was celebrated on April 23, 1995. It is known as the International Day of Book as well. Today, the occasion is celebrated worldwide by authors, booksellers, publishers, and book lovers.

Sources of enrichment

Irina Bokova, the Director General of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) delivered a message to mark the annual World Book and Copyright Day. In her speech she reiterated that diversity in editorial and book content provides enrichment. As such, diversity must be supported and nurtured by protecting content from uniformity and with the institution of appropriate public policies. Bokova calls this important characteristic “bibliodiversity.”

Bokova said that as the world celebrates this day, we all should take the opportunity to reflect on how to share and disseminate “the culture of the written word.” She adds that this is also a chance for us to think about the new forms of printing (digital publishing) and intellectual property rights as well.

“Bibliodiversity”

Books are not merely physical objects. According to Bokova, books are “our most beautiful invention” and books have been indispensable in the sharing of ideas beyond the confines of time and space. Bokova highlights the fact that “bibliodiversity” is the common wealth of the peoples of the world.

Why April 23

The choice for the celebration of World Book and Copyright day on April 23 of every year is not random. This date is a symbolic one for world literature. On April 23, 1611, three important writers died. They were Miguel de Cervantes, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, and William Shakespeare. April 23 also marks the birthdate of prominent authors Josep Pla, Maurice Druon, Manuel Mejia Vallejo, Haldor Laxness, and Vladimir Nabokov.

UNESCO’s commitment

The UNESCO is fully committed to fulfilling the mission of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. UNESCO is working on the Convention’s mandate along with its partners. These are the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the International Publishers Association, and the International Booksellers’ Federation.