Read more about International Days
World Book and Copyright Day is a celebration of readers, authors, and books. The reason for observing this day, in the words of World Book Day Founder, Baroness Gail Rebuck, is
“… to do something to reposition reading and our message is the same today as it was then – that reading is fun, relevant, accessible, exciting, and has the power to transform lives.”The importance of reading cannot be overemphasized. It fosters children’s growth as readers; promotes a lifelong love of literature, supports cognitive development, and enables integration into the world of work. It is even a cure for isolation because it creates an opportunity to travel with our imagination despite the physical distances or global travel restrictions. When parents read with their kids, it breeds a bond between them and helps to prepare them for academic success. Access to books is just as important as having books to read. That’s why authors, publishers, booksellers, readers, teachers, media houses, and libraries worldwide usually participate in the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day. Around the world, World Book day is celebrated with street/book festivals, distribution of bookmarks and book-related items, literary competitions, workshops on copyright laws, book-related charity events or initiatives, gift-giving/book giveaways, and book reading campaigns. Sometimes, it is accompanied by a social media hashtag campaign.
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In Nigeria, people usually write and publish articles on the reading culture of today’s youths while organizations hold book-related Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) events. In 2014, Channels Book Club showed the World Book Capital City ceremony on their program because that year it came to Nigeria. The ‘World Book Capital is a title bestowed by UNESCO on a city to actively encourage the promotion of books and reading programs/initiatives for a year in that country. The one-year period is from the day of the last World Book Day to the next. It is a contest for which cities around the world are nominated for and it has gone through 21 countries. UNESCO usually invites the International Publishers Association, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, and The International Booksellers Federation to participate in the nomination process, to ensure the three major branches of the book industry are involved in the decision. In 2014, the title was officially handed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria. This year, the World Book City goes to Tbilisi, Georgia. The title will be bestowed on a city in every country eventually. According to the President, Nigerian Centre of PEN International (aka PEN Nigeria), Folu Agoi,
“… It is a day to launch and/or reactivate book clubs, and to offer free books, including audiobooks, to children, a special day to share stories, experiences and books with the children, to inspire the youth to share their own stories, a day to reward excellence with prizes.”As part of the celebration for this year’s World’s Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO has created a Bookfacechallenge. The challenge involves taking a picture of yourself with a book cover such that it blends into your reality. Since the deadline for sending them to youth@unesco.org has passed, you can post them on your page with the hashtag #bookface and #WorldBookandCopyrightDay. You can also join the community of readers for the World Book Day bookfaceChallenge on Facebook to express and testify of their love for reading when you participate in this challenge. Sources: UNESCO All 4 Kids Blog Time and Date International Publishers Featured Image Source: Metro
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