The COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to it have severely limited public celebration of this year"s World Book Day but online activities are still underway to promote the power of reading which the United Nations believes should be leveraged more than ever at a time of lockdown, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) told Xinhua on Wednesday.
A whole day of events planned at its headquarters in Paris with different partners had to be cancelled. Several weeks ago, the city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, World Book Capital for 2020, cancelled its very high-profile opening ceremony scheduled for April 22, the eve of this year's World Book Day, said UNESCO press officer Clare O'Hagan.
However, some activities still take place online. Sharjah (the United Arab Emirates), World Book Capital 2019, is to celebrate a year of literature, arts, culture and heritage with live streaming for the official closing ceremony on Wednesday.
On Thursday, European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) has various online national reading initiatives around the world.
The State Library of New South Wales organizes online library events all day to share its selection of Australia's most significant Shakespeare collection and over 1,100 rare editions of Don Quixote.
The volunteers of the French association "Lire et faire Lire" (read and make others read) will take turns throughout the day reading tales for children. At the end of this reading marathon, a 2020 list of favourite books will be established.
Cambridge University press Academic will run an online free webinar on Open Access and public policy for monographs.
As to the scheduled events in Kuala Lumpur, the UNESCO press officer said the current lockdown in Malaysia would obviously affect the city's ability to implement their programme of activities as was planned, probably until September.
"UNESCO will consult with the mayor's office and the WBC organizing team to draw up a list of priorities for the Capital," she added.
In 1995, UNESCO's General Conference decided to make April 23 the World Book and Copyright Day to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors and encourage everyone, young people in particular, to discover the pleasure of reading.
Earlier in April, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced most of the schools around the world to close and billions of people to limit their time spent outside, the UNESCO noted that the power of books is more important than ever to be leveraged to combat isolation, reinforce ties between people, expand horizons, while stimulating minds and creativity.
"During the month of April and all year round, it is critical to take the time to read on your own or with your children," it said in a press release. "It is a time to celebrate the importance of reading, foster children's growth as readers and promote a lifelong love of literature and integration into the world of work." Enditem
- China’s extraordinary decade in the eyes of the world
- Book of Xi’s discourses on exercising rule-based governance over Party published
- Preventive moves enhanced amid fresh outbreaks
- China sees 422 million domestic trips during National Day holiday
- Four more Chinese irrigation projects designated world heritage structures
- Xi pays tribute to national heroes on Martyrs’ Day
Popular Videos
Hot comments
- First apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animals, zoo official says
- China Life: Chinese women shine with She Power
- Foreign firms approved to offer VPN services in capital
- Homemade curling videos trending in China
- 86-year-old grandma in Hebei spends most her life on traditional cheongsam
- Winners of 2022 Inaugural WLA Prize announced
- Lantern Festival: A romantic celebration in China
- Two Chinese COVID-19 vaccine firms to supply vaccines to COVAX
- Media center for 20th CPC national congress to open on Oct. 12
- Six suspects arrested in HK for role in SE Asia job scam
Top Reviews
- Young artists recreate beauty of traditional Hanfu costume
- China releases photos of tallest tree
- English version of ‘Understanding Xi Jinping’s Educational Philosophy’ published
- China crowned in men’s team for 10th straight time at table tennis worlds
- China publishes Atlas of Wildlife in SW China
- Guangxi’s 10 Years: A Visit to China’s Qinzhou Port
- Congress delegate helped lift village out of poverty
- Expo highlights joint efforts in NEV development
- Racism stain of shame on ‘world democratic paradise’
- U.S. may face new COVID wave this upcoming winter: report