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World Book Day
World Book and Copyright Day was established internationally by UNESCO at its General Conference in 1995.
The tradition of celebrating books
and reading on the 23rd of April each year is, however, a long-standing one.
Apart from the fact that the date coincides with the commemoration of St.
George’s Day, a very special custom is practised in Catalonia and other
Catalan-speaking areas of the world. On this day roses and books are exchanged
as a gesture of “a rose for love and a book forever!” In Spain the 23rd of April
commemorates the death of Miguel de Cervantes, author of “Don Quixote de la
Mancha”, deemed to be finest text in the Spanish language. In the
English-speaking world the date has also been associated with William
Shakespeare, April 23, 1616 being the date of his death and some scholars
stating that it was also the date of his birth 52 years earlier. The history of
the celebration of the day in Spain is a particularly intriguing. The decision
by UNESCO to internationalise this celebration confirms its commitment to the
promotion of reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property
through copyright.
World Book Day in South Africa has been co-ordinated by the
Centre for the Book since its establishment in 1998 and we are responsible for
managing activities including a nationwide poster campaign whereby approximately
50 000 special posters are designed, printed and distributed with the assistance
of SABC Education, SAPPI South Africa, the Printers’ College of the Print
Industries Federation of South Africa and Allied Media. The posters are provided
particularly to schools and public libraries around the country, in preparation
of the occasion itself. A full report of World Book Day 2005.
A full report of World Book Day 2004.
The list of depots for posters.
View the World Book Day 2006 Poster in .pdf
Format.
The slogan for this year’s World Book Day
campaign is “Books Talk: are you listening?” and features our nation’s favourite
television personality, Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu! Posters can be collected from
national depots around the country.
Why not try one
or more of the following activities on WORLD BOOK DAY ?
The theme for
the day is READING IS FOREVER.
read more