World Book Day
By Rafe Llewellyn, Second Year History
Established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1995, World Book Day is traditionally celebrated on April 23rd across more than 100 countries. The celebration which takes place annually aims to emphasise accessibility of books and reading and to promote literacy.
UNESCO chose the date to honour the deaths of some of history's most impactful authors, notably William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, but it has since been moved to the first Thursday of March in the United Kingdom. This move was made to ensure the celebration could be carried out in schools to a full extent.
April 23rd clashes with St George's Day in the England and often falls in school holidays so the move was made to ensure maximum participation from schools so children can all engage in reading events, book sales and dress-up days.
UNESCO says that 'By championing books and copyright, UNESCO stands up for creativity, diversity and equal access to knowledge.'
A celebration of books each year isn't a new concept. Prior to World Book Day being established officially in 1995, Spain already had a long-standing literary celebration called 'St Jordi's Day' which dates back to the 15th century when people began celebrating the Patron saint of Catalonia, Saint Jordi (George) on the same date used by UNESCO now.
On April 23rd 1926, Spain officially announced the date as 'Book Day' as it marked the death of Miguel De Cervantes, a prominent Spanish author. On this day in Catalonia, the streets become a bustling array of colour filled with people and stalls selling books and roses to celebrate a tradition surrounding culture and romance.
The exact date that this tradition dates back to is unknown but the saint was venerated at some point in the 8th century. Known as the protector of lovers, a rose market has existed since the 15th century in his honour around the government palace.
The most popular legend around Saint Jordi, is one in which he slays a dragon that was terrorising a village. If this character is starting to sound familiar, that’s because St Jordi is known in England as St George, he is also our patron saint here. This is further one of the reasons World Book Day cannot be celebrated in England on the 23rd of April, because to us that is St George's day.
Not only is he the patron saint of England as well but also in Greece, Moscow, Istanbul and many more. The figure is widely celebrated across the world as a martyr of Christendom although the celebration of the saint has primarily fallen out of fashion at least here in England.
Across England on the 6th of March, children across the United Kingdom will be given vouchers for a free or discounted books and schools will hold dress-up days for children to dress up as their favourite characters. These traditions as well as reading events such as author visits and book swaps are all aiming to promote literacy and reading on this unassumingly historic day.