Let's celebrate World Book Day on April 23, and encourage it to become a recognized and significant day on the Australian calendar.

The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia, Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of Saint George's Day (also 23 April) in the region, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in exchange. Half the yearly sales of books in Catalonia take place around World Book Day, with over 400,000 sold (and about 4 million roses). In 1996 the United Nations (UNESCO) declared April 23 World Book and Copyright Day, and in 1998 Tony Blair launched World Book day in the UK, where there have been strong programs each year since, involving booksellers, schools, publishers, parents, writers and readers.

Can we be next?

Books are key in my life, and I believe that an officially recognized and notable celebration of World Book Day in Australia could go some way to ensuring a future where books continue to hold an important place in Australian lives.

If you share my interest in making this happen, please join this group, and give a book to someone you love on April 23. (the rose, I dare say, is optional)

Happy reading,
Tara Moss

http://www.taramoss.com
http://twitter.com/Tara_Moss
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Let's celebrate World Book Day on April 23, and encourage it to become a recognized and significant day on the Australian calendar.

The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia, Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of Saint George's Day (also 23 April) in the region, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since... (read more)