World Book and Copyright Day

World Book and Copyright Day History

World Book and Copyright Day pays tribute to books and authors, encouraging everyone, particularly the young, to discover the joy of reading. More than a simple celebration, the observance serves as a call to respect and safeguard authors' rights worldwide through copyright protection. It aims to create a convergence of diverse cultures through the written word, facilitating cultural diversity and dialogue.

This international observance traces its roots back to 23 April 1616 when iconic figures of world literature - Miguel Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega – passed away. In South Africa, World Book and Copyright Day holds great significance in fostering a vibrant reading culture, given the country's rich literary heritage. It highlights the importance of copyright in protecting the rights and livelihoods of local South African authors and creators, which in turn fuels cultural diversity and vibrant literary environments.

South Africans typically observe World Book and Copyright Day in a myriad of ways, including book donation drives, story-telling sessions, reading marathons, literary conferences, and writing workshops. Schools and libraries promote the joy of reading among children and teenagers by celebrating local authors and their works. World Book and Copyright Day in South Africa is observed on April 23rd each year. The day presents an outstanding opportunity to revel in the country's literary tradition and underscore the indispensable role of copyright in fostering creativity and innovation.

Facts about World Book and Copyright Day

• Each year, UNESCO chooses a World Book Capital. In 2024, the World Book Capital was Strasbourg, France.
  In 2023, the World Book Capital was Accra, Ghana, located in West Africa.
• UNESCO holds an event every year at their headquarters. Workshops for the young are conducted by booksellers, publishers and artists. The topics include illustration, bookbinding, typography, manga, and more.
• In line with South Africa's multilingual nature, books are published in all 11 official languages. However, the dominant languages for print are English and Afrikaans, while indigenous languages are typically underrepresented.
• Copyright for books in South Africa lasts for the author's lifetime plus 50 years following their death. Following this period, the work enters the public domain.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for World Book and Copyright Day

Top things to do in South Africa for World Book and Copyright Day

• Dress your children in costumes related to their favorite books. Check out these great examples.
• Why not try a comic book? There are comic books for everyone, and they can be a good alternative for children who don't enjoy regular books. Get them started on comic books with characters they already like from the movies.
• Attend Book Fairs: Johannesburg and Cape Town usually host book fairs where local and international publishers, authors, and book enthusiasts gather. New books are launched, and authors may participate in book signings.
• Read a book to learn more about Books and Copyright in South Africa:
  1) The Law of Contract in South Africa - by D. Hutchison, C. Pretorius.
  2) Intellectual Property Law in South Africa - by Owen Dean.