World Book Day

Today, 7th March, is World Book Day 2013.  What is  World Book Day?  It is an attempt to get more people, particularly young people, engaged with books and reading in this digital age.  World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.

The origins of the day now celebrated in the UK and Ireland come from Catalonia, where roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones on St George's Day – a tradition started over 90 years ago.  World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading for the personal enrichment and enjoyment of all.

 'The Biggest Book Show On Earth' will take place in Queen Elizabeth Hall in London at 11am GMT on 7th March, and will be broadcast live to cinemas around the UK, as well as shown live online.

A related article in the Daily Telegraph states that parents still find time to read to their children, despite leading increasingly busy lives and the distractions of television and the internet, according to a new survey. To mark World Book Day, high street supermarket Sainsbury’s surveyed 2,000 parents and found that 71 per cent – 10 million families – make time to read regularly to their children.

It is great to see such enthusiasm for the printed word.  Long may it continue!