International Book Day 2023 marks another year to celebrate culture and share with loved ones the books that captivate, the stories that have shaped us, and the recommendations that opened new doors of imagination.
But why does April 23 stand out in the world of literature? The link goes back to a pivotal moment in history when the deaths on that date in 1616 tied a thread through classic writing. Cervantes died just a day before, his burial taking place on the same day he passed away. Inca Garcilaso de la Vega is another writer associated with that same date. At that time England used the Julian calendar, so the dates overlap with William Shakespeare’s passing as well. Because of these coincidences, April 23 became a year after year emblem for literary heritage across the ages.
Beyond these names, the date resonates with birth and death anniversaries of other notable authors, including Joseph Pla and William Wordsworth, further cementing its status in the literary calendar.
UNESCO designated World Book Day in 1995 as a global observance to promote reading, defend the publishing industry, and safeguard intellectual property. In Spain, the tradition has its own historical arc. The idea of a national book festival took shape in the 1920s, with a shift that ultimately aligned the celebration with April 23. The Cervantes Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the Spanish-speaking world, is presented on this date in honor of the famed author of Don Quixote. When the calendar presents a Sunday, the ceremony is often held on the following Monday.
Other nations also celebrate World Book Day on dates that suit their cultural calendars. The United Kingdom and Ireland observe World Book Day on the first Thursday of March, while Uruguay celebrates National Book Day on May 26. Paraguay marks its Book Day on June 25, and Chile once observed a different date before aligning with the international observance now shared on April 23.
Since 2001, UNESCO has partnered with leading international bodies to select a World Book Capital each year. The honor first went to Madrid, a designation that has since rotated to cities around the globe, with Accra in Ghana serving as the 2022 World Book Capital. The program highlights how cities can champion literacy, access to books, and cultural vitality through robust reading ecosystems.