World Book and Copyright Day, 23 April
Kumari Lama
Kathmandu
Kumari_2037@yahoo.com
The idea of celebrating
World Book Day entered in the mind of Catalonian (Spanish) booksellers on 23
April 1923 to honour the author Miguel de Crevantes who died on the same day.
This became the part of celebration of the Saint George's Day (23 April) in
Catalonian region Spain where it has been tradition since the medieval era for
men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in
exchange. It was really a marvelous beginning of presenting books instead of
other matters to their beloved one which later spread all over the world.
After long time in 1995, UNESCO noticed and decided to celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day on the same day 23 April. This date is the most suitable date to celebrate World Book Day as it is not only Crevantes's but also the world renowned playwright William Shakespeare's death anniversary day as well. The most controversial and popular Russian writer, Vladimir Nobokov's birth date is also the same 23 April. There is very important but co-incidental connection of the world famous literary figures with 23 April.
Catalonian
booksellers were just the spark to bring the novel trend of honoring authors.
It, very quickly took the shape of dazzling and bright flame and spread all over
the world. Prime Minster Tony Blair launched World Book Day in UK in 1998 at the
Globe Theater. On this auspicious occasion several million schoolchildren in
Great Britain were given one sterling pound as special World Book Day Book
Token.
Our country Nepal and the intellectuals over here also have the equal concern
towards the international trend. So, though little late but in 2004, Bhawak
Aviyan Nepal by the co-ordination of Film Maker, Poet Prakash Sayami started
celebrating World Book Day in Nepal as well.
As UNESCO had decided that the World Book Day and Copyright Day would be
celebrated on 23 April in 1955, copyright has become one of the great emerging
issues in the world. To secure the rights of artists, writers, musicians and all
other creative people copyright is playing great role. There is an international
organization like World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) who is playing
tremendous role for the copyright issue. Berne Convention for the Protection of
Literary and Artistic Works 1997 is already there which talks for the rights of
Artistic works. Nepal Government also has made Copyright Act, 2061 which stand
for the rights of artists.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with Nepal
Copyright Registar's Office, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
Government of Nepal and with the assistance of the Japan Copyright Office (JCO)
has organized WIPO Asia-Pacific Regional Symposium on Emerging Issues of
Copyright and related rights in the Audiovisual Industry in January 29 to 31,
2008. Speakers from Geneva, Hong Kong, Japan and Nepal had presented their
papers on the emerging issues of copyright. Film maker and Poet Prakash Sayami
had presented his paper on the topic; Copyright- Related challenges in making
and distribution of Audiovisual works. Definitely such programs are helpful for
the artists to realize their actual importance and also to become aware about
their rights.
The trend of celebrating World Book Day and Copyright Day in Nepal gives
positive sign which indicates the spreading consciousness and eagerness for
knowledge even in our society. We know, "Book" is an ocean of knowledge and
obviously there will be no harm to remember Book Day and gift our friends some
books on this occasion. Like every special day, this Book day also carries its
own worth. This day reminds us of our literary giants like Crevantes,
Shakespeare, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla whose anniversary of birth
and death was on the same day 23 April. This day also makes us think of the
birth of the writers Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nobokov, Manuel Mejia and Halldor
Laxness. They are the immortal figures who through their books have gifted the
world with abundance of knowledge. So, how can we forget 23 April?
This is the date to be remembered ever, forever.