World Book Day 2026

UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day is observed on 23 April. It celebrates books as bridges between cultures and generations and promotes reading, publishing and authors' rights.

World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated on 23 April under UNESCO's leadership to promote reading, publishing and respect for authors' rights. UNESCO's General Conference established the observance in 1995, choosing a date with strong literary symbolism because 23 April is associated with the deaths of major writers including Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The day presents books as more than objects of entertainment: they preserve memory, transmit knowledge, connect languages and generations, and allow readers to encounter lives and ideas beyond their own experience. The copyright element recognises that writers, translators, illustrators and publishers also depend on legal and economic frameworks that support creative work. Libraries, schools, publishers and cultural institutions mark the day with readings, book exchanges, author events, literacy activities and campaigns to widen access to books. UNESCO also designates a World Book Capital each year to extend these efforts beyond a single day.

Promotes reading, access to books, multilingual literature and respect for authors, translators and copyright.

Library events, shared reading, book exchanges, author discussions, accessible reading programmes and copyright education; no religious rituals.

UNESCO observance is 23 April worldwide. The UK's charity-led World Book Day often uses a different March date; these should not be conflated.