World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated every year on April 23. It serves to promote the joy of reading, the importance of publishing, and the legal protection of intellectual property through Copyright.
UNESCO selected this date in 1995 due to its profound symbolic value in world literature
It marks the death anniversary of legendary authors William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
The day focuses on several core pillars of literacy and creative rights: -
World Book Capital: Each year, UNESCO designates a city as the World Book Capital to spearhead year-long literary activities. For 2025, the capital is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; for 2026, it will be Rabat, Morocco.
Promoting Diversity: Recent focuses have emphasized Indigenous languages and multilingualism to ensure literature reflects global cultural diversity.
Copyright Protection: The "Copyright" aspect of the day highlights the need to safeguard the rights of creators, ensuring they receive fair credit and compensation in an increasingly digital age.
