Bookstores, schools and reading enthusiasts across Germany are preparing for a big reading festival. Many schools have incorporated activities and readings into lessons throughout the week to mark World Book Day. The goal is to focus on the joy of stories. Reading together and listening to each other are also promoted nationwide as part of the school campaigns.
Numerous publishing houses open their doors and entice students with a look behind the scenes. More than 20 Berlin publishing houses offer free tours, lectures, readings or workshop discussions. Timely registration by e-mail is necessary because the number of participants is limited.
In 1995, the Unesco General Conference proclaimed April 23rd as “World Book and Copyright Day.” The date goes back to a tradition in Catalonia: on the name day of the patron saint Saint George, roses and books are given away there. April 23 is also the anniversary of the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. World Book Day is now celebrated in over 100 countries, and has been in Germany since 1996. From the very beginning, Stiftung Lesen and its partners have played a key role in shaping World Book Day. For example, the campaign “I’ll give you a story” has been running since 1997.
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