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News | Celebrations and Events | World Book and Copyright Day 2026

World Book and Copyright Day 2026

– A Window on the World of Writing and Publishing in the Age that We are in –

A Celebration of the Power of Books

The power of books consists, in the main, in the manner in which they are capable of building bridges across space, time, generations and cultures. They represent important tools in the education, cultural exchange, preservation of knowledge.

"Books are like a window onto another world – with each new page, they introduce us to new people, new cultures and new ideas."

So says UNESCO, the organisation under whose auspices World Book and Copyright Day has been observed annually on 23 April since 1995, arising out of a General Conference meeting in Paris that voted to make it so. UNESCO’s resolution aims to promote reading, publishing, the human creativity and industry that they help to sustain, while promoting awareness of the protection of intellectual property, in support of authors and creators worldwide.

Historical and Cultural Dimensions

The date coincides with a rich tapestry of traditions and events rooted in literature and the celebration of literary figures. Its origins are said to be in Spain and in Catalan cultural traditions specifically, which sees La Diada de Sant Jordi (the Feast Day of St George), celebrated on this day. The legend of St George's slaying of a dragon has served as a staple in tales of chivalry and romance since the early Middle Ages. Traditionally, on this day, men would give women gifts of flowers, who would return the compliment with gifts of books. Today, the gifts that are exchanged are not restricted or circumscribed by gender roles or precepts. Still, in some parts of the world, the celebration is known as the Day of Books and Roses, while in places like Barcelona, whole streets are said to be turned into open-air bookshops.

Towering Figures of World Literature

The date of 23 April was chosen as World Book and Copyright Day for reasons that include it coinciding with the recorded date of death of three outstanding figures in the field of world literature: Miguel de Cervantes (Spanish author, novelist), William Shakespeare (English poet and playwright), and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (Peruvian-born chronicler and writer, known as El Inca). However, some confusion reigns over the date of death in the cases of both Cervantes and of El Inca.

Traditionally, Cervantes was thought to have died on 23 April 1616, but this has now come to be regarded as the date of his burial. Also worth noting is that he did not die on the same day as Shakespeare. England, at the time, was still using the Julian calendar, whereas in Spain the Gregorian calendar had already superceded it. Shakespeare would have died some eleven days after Cervantes' burial.

In the case of El Inca, "it is recorded that he died in Córdoba on 23 April 1616, but it could have been up to two days earlier because of the inaccuracy of the existing documents." – Wikipedia

A further curiousity surrounding the life of Shakespeare is that he would appear to have died on his birthday. His actual date of birth is not recorded but his baptismal date is. In accordance with the culture and traditions of the time associated with the birth and baptism of a child, many have come to regard 23 April 1564 as his date of birth, falling on the same day the Feast Day of Saint George, the patron saint of England as well as Catalonia.

International Dimension

Given the cultural and literary legacy associated with this day, it is no surprise that it also coincides with English Language Day and Spanish Language Day at the United Nations, where both are official languages and English is a working language. Language Days at the UN serve the aim of entertaining as well as informing, with the goal of increasing awareness and respect for the history, culture and achievements of each of the six working languages among the United Nations community.

Intellectual Property Protection

Copyright protection is the day’s twin pillar and objective. It serves to draw attention to copyright law and its role in protecting the creative work of authors, illustrators, creators worldwide, to ensure that such people can earn a livelihood from their work – an issue that has garnered more attention in the modern era consequent upon the emergence of digital publishing, artificial intelligence, online piracy, and the concerns that they raise.

World Book Capital

Each year, on World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO selects a city to be World Book Capital. This is done in partnership with the International Publishers Association, the International Booksellers Federation, and the International Federation of Library Associations. The city that is selected will commit to a year-long programme of events with the aim of promoting reading, literacy, storytelling, books, publishing, associated crafts and industries.

In 2026, the Moroccan city of Rabat hands over tenure to the city of Medellín in Colombia, which according to UNESCO:

"Medellín has become an international reference for urban and cultural transformation, where books and libraries play a crucial role in bringing positive social change. The designation of Medellín as World Book Capital 2027 is a powerful message on how culture can build peace and social cohesion."

Other Celebrations and Events

Finally, a World Book Night also takes place on 23 April, mainly in Ireland and the UK, where another World Book Day is also celebrated, but usually on the first Thursday in March.