World Book and Copyright Day
23 April 2026 — The books have taken flight! Catch one and open a page.
World Book and Copyright Day is observed every year on 23 April. UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) chose the date as a symbolic one: by tradition, Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare both died on 23 April 1616. In fact they did not die on the same day, because Spain and England used different calendars at the time, but the date remains a symbol of world literature. The idea also draws on the Catalan tradition of Saint George's Day (Sant Jordi), when people exchange roses and books. UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed the day in 1995. Its aim is to promote reading, publishing and the protection of copyright, which allows authors and creators to make a living from their work. Each year UNESCO also names a World Book Capital, while libraries, schools and bookshops hold readings, book swaps and meetings with authors. The date is fixed in the calendar and does not depend on the Moon, but late April evenings are a lovely time to read under the stars: books, like stars, carry light across time.
Flying across the sky: An ethereal, bluish-silver flock of open books drawn as constellations of bright dots and fine lines, their covers flapping like butterfly wings as they drift across the night sky, An ethereal, bluish-silver flock of open books drawn as constellations of bright dots and fine lines, their covers flapping like butterfly wings as they drift across the night sky
Sources
Positions in Astronativa are astronomically exact. The interpretation is for inspiration. · Glossary · Terms · Privacy · Thank you