Celebrating Book Culture: The Aims and Outcomes of UNESCOs World Book and Copyright Day in Europe

Abstract

World Book and Copyright Day was established by a resolution of the 28th General Council of UNESCO in 1995. Its avowed aim was 'to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.' This article examines the context for World Book and Copyright Day, the extent to which cultural and commercial interests have converged in the activities of the day and argues that an analysis of the activities of the day reveal a specifically European attitude to book culture.

World Book Day and Its Discontents: The Cultural Politics of Book‐Based Fancy Dress

“…A publishers’ association was heavily involved in the creation of the resolution and, alongside a librarians’ association, the planning and delivery of the first event. Yet, as Alexis Weedon points out, WBD is not a primarily commercial initiative (213), overseen as it is by UNESCO which occupies a neutral and therefore, it believes, more effective intermediary role between public and private sectors (Larrea and Weedon 225).…”

Concepts of Reading in South African Promotion Campaigns

“…In the US, the Centre for the Book has been positioned to promote a link between reading and democracy: "It is important to stress the central moral importance of the enterprise of reading itself for the health of our kind of society" (Cole 1991, 70). However, in the developing countries their campaigns have usually partnered with development institutions such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the African Union, which has effectively linked reading promotion with economic development (Larrea and Weedon 2007).…”

Continuing a love affair after a separation: Ways to promote books for World Book and Copyright Day

“…In fact, in 1995 UNESCO declared April 23 as World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD). 5 Their declaration formalized their collective belief that:…”