2019 World Book and Copyright Day: Focus is on indigenous languages this year

This year Sharjah is chosen as the capital city to celebrate the involvement of all stakeholders: authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions.

Book readers across the globe are celebrating 23^rd April as World Book and Copyright Day (also known as World Book Day). Today is the day to enjoy a piece of art and promote book reading habit. World Book Day is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing and copyrighting.

On this day, UNESCO and the international organizations representing the three major sectors of the book industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for a year to maintain, through its own initiatives, the impetus of the Day's celebrations.

2019 celebrations

This year Sharjah is chosen as the capital city to celebrate the involvement of all stakeholders: authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs and the mass media. UNESCO will host the exhibition from April 23^rd to May 14^th to offer unique book reading experience with the different art form.

The general consensus is that there are between 6,000 and 7,000 languages currently spoken and that between 50% and 90% of them are likely to become extinct by the year 2100. The 24th edition of World Book and Copyright Day will celebrate literature and reading while focusing particularly on the importance of enhancing and protecting Indigenous languages.

UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay calls this auspicious day as an event to form cultural expression that lives through and as part of a chosen language. She also reaffirms the commitment of the international community in supporting indigenous peoples to preserve their cultures, knowledge and rights.

History of International Book Day

In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.

In 2018, Athens was chosen as UNESCO World Book capital to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights which includes freedom of expression and right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.

What do changemakers think about it?

On #WorldBookDay, I challenge @UNICEFChief and @AAzoulay to join me & others in spending time reading books with children. Literacy opens worlds of opportunities to everyone. And reading is fun! pic.twitter.com/SY9HVOM7Wz

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 23, 2019

What's your favourite book?Here six master storytellers reflect on the power of books - celebrating the written world of human experience and imagination.#WorldBookDay pic.twitter.com/ZtucQnAfyh

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) April 23, 2019

23 April is #WorldBookDay📚!Let's highlight today the power of books to promote open and inclusive knowledge societies.ℹ️ https://t.co/MjMQG6JGxW pic.twitter.com/yEU21kUxOa

— UNESCO (@UNESCO) April 23, 2019

On #WorldBookDay, let's celebrate the power of books with @Malala: pic.twitter.com/CuUgwhFMVS

— UN Women (@UN_Women) April 23, 2019

We must redouble efforts to promote the book in order to fight illiteracy, poverty and to strengthen peace.On #WorldBookDay📚, let us spread the power of the written word and help everyone access it!ℹ️https://t.co/MjMQG6JGxW pic.twitter.com/uG3kG13pdK

— UNESCO (@UNESCO) April 23, 2019