Each year the World celebrates World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April. This day, formalised by a resolution adopted in 1995 by the 28th session on the General Conference of UNESCO, seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. IPA is one of the main partners in this international celebration of books, authors, and copyright.
More information on this key date in publishers' calendars is available on the following pages.
In world literature, 23 April is a symbolic date for Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died on 23 April 1616. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Halldor Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.
On this day each year, worldwide tribute is paid to books and authors, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.
On 23 April each year one also celebrates copyright, and respect for copyright for respecting copyright is encouraging creativity and a sustainable global literature, which will benefit future generations.
The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, Saint George's Day, booksellers traditionally give a rose as a gift with each book sold. The success of the World Book and Copyright Day relies on the active involvement of all stakeholders: authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs and the mass media, and all those who feel motivated to work together in this world celebration of books and authors.