Will you take the time to read?

In the digital age, where everything is easily accessible at the click of a button, you might think that paper books would be on the way out. And yet, in the midst of the health crisis we’ve been experiencing, the book market has been booming. Taking away people’s access to cultural venues such as bookshops and libraries has demonstrated everyone’s attachment to the object that is the book. So what better way to celebrate the world of literature, which has faithfully accompanied us through this difficult period, than with a day in its honor.

World Book and Copyright Day takes place every year on April 23, and has done so since its creation byUnesco in 1995. To pay tribute to three illustrious authors, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, all of whom died on April 23, 1616, Unesco sets up a program every year in collaboration with numerous international cultural institutions. In addition to this program, a city is named World Book Capital for a one-year period. In 2022, the city of Guadalajara in Mexico will be honored. The waiting list is long, but next year’s title has already been awarded to Accra!

This day is not just about books, it’s also about copyright, which enables writers and other artists to protect their work. While this may sound like a very legal issue, it’s one that we’re regularly confronted with. Can we photocopy a book? How should authors be cited? To find out a little more about these notions, we suggest you consult the page of theSwiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property or the definition given by Unesco.

To celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, many Swiss and international institutions are taking part in the festivities, organizing exhibitions and activities to promote reading.

If this day inspires you, don’t hesitate to take a moment to pull out your favorite book and share your reading with your loved ones.

Diann Rivera and Emilie Corbel, BCUL apprentices