WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY
World Book and Copyright Day was celebrated for the first time on April 23, 1996, with the aim of preserving books, which are the most important means of disseminating and enlightening knowledge all aspects of the life. The decision to mark this date was taken on the basis of the Resolution of the 28th session of the UNESCO on November 15, 1995.
There are several countries and organizations that have previously held Book Day before that decision. In 1926, King Alphonse XIII of Spain signed a Decree on the celebration of Book Day in Spain. After some controversy, it was decided that this day would be celebrated on April 23 - the day that is considered to be the date of the death of Miguel Cervantes. In fact, according to historians, the writer actually died on April 22, but according to the traditions of that time, the the funeral date was on April 23. In Barcelona that day was coincided with the holiday in honor of patron Saint of Catalonia, St. George. On that day the booksellers organized a grand book fair in the country. Since 1931, it was there that has appeared a tradition of giving a flower to anyone who buys any book.
As it is indicated to the UN website, the date was chosen as the celebration on April 23 to commemorate the death of Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, who are the famous figures in world literature.
Since 2000, UNESCO and three international professional book publishing organizations – publishers, booksellers and libraries have declared one of the cities the World Book Capital every year.
Lachyn BERDIMYRADOVA,
the 4th year student of the Faculty of International Journalism
of the Institute of International Relations of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.