Emdadul Hoque Howlader
April 23 is World Book Day, a cherished UNESCO initiative established in 1995. This annual celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of books on individuals, societies, and the collective human experience. This year’s resonant theme, ‘Read and Adventure’, beautifully encapsulates the transformative capacity of literature to transport us beyond the confines of our immediate reality, igniting our imaginations and broadening our understanding of the world. In Bangladesh, the spirit of World Book Day was palpable, exemplified by an engaging discussion held at the University of Dhaka. This event underscored the enduring significance of reading in shaping intellectual growth, fostering personal development, and cultivating a lifelong love for the written word, particularly among the burgeoning generation.
The speakers of the event, comprising academics and literary enthusiasts, passionately emphasized the critical imperative of actively engaging the younger generation with the world of books. They highlighted the necessity of implementing diverse and stimulating initiatives centered around literature to cultivate and sustain a robust reading habit in an era increasingly dominated by digital distractions.
World Book Day stands as a vital international platform dedicated to amplifying awareness regarding the multifaceted importance of reading. It champions not only the act of reading itself but also the essential processes of book publishing and the effective dissemination of knowledge contained within their pages. Furthermore, the day serves as a crucial advocacy platform for the protection of authors’ intellectual property through copyright laws.
Tracing the Historical Roots of World Book Day
While officially proclaimed in 1995, the underlying inspiration for World Book Day stretches back nearly four centuries, to the fateful date of April 23, 1616. This day marked the passing of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the iconic Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the Spanish language. His literary masterpiece, ‘Don Quixote’, remains a cornerstone of Western literature. Recognizing the profound literary legacy of Cervantes, his devoted disciple, Vicente Clavel Andrés, a prominent figure in the development of modern Spanish literature, passionately advocated for a commemoration of his mentor’s death anniversary. His efforts culminated exactly a century later, in 1923, when Andrés, himself a celebrated Spanish novelist, spearheaded the initiation of ‘Book Day’ in Spain, to be observed annually on April 23rd.
Interestingly, April 23rd holds further literary significance as it also marks the death anniversary of the towering figure of English literature, William Shakespeare. The coincidence of these two literary giants passing on the same date added another layer of symbolic weight to the chosen day. Considering this remarkable confluence of literary and cultural milestones, UNESCO, responding to a compelling proposal put forth by Spain, officially declared April 23rd as World Book Day, a global tribute to the power and joy of reading.
Underscoring the Significance of World Book Day in Bangladesh
The annual observance of World Book Day carries profound significance for Bangladesh. It serves as a vital catalyst in encouraging individuals across all societal strata, with a particular focus on students, educators, and researchers, to actively engage with libraries as invaluable hubs of knowledge and learning. The day effectively underscores the critical role and indispensable necessity of well-resourced libraries in the ongoing process of nation-building and intellectual empowerment. Furthermore, World Book Day provides a crucial platform for open dialogue and the exchange of innovative strategies aimed at fostering and enhancing reading habits across the population. It facilitates discussions on establishing vibrant knowledge-based societies through the development of local libraries, the meticulous acquisition, careful preservation, and equitable distribution of diverse reading materials, and, most importantly, the cultivation of a deeply ingrained reading culture.
The Bangladesh Library Association has consistently played a pivotal role in advocating for the recognition of the fundamental importance of libraries and the cultivation of reading habits. Their sustained advocacy and persistent demands ultimately led the government of Bangladesh to officially declare February 5th as National Library Day in 2017, a significant step in acknowledging the vital role of libraries within the national framework. It is widely and rightly believed that aligning national efforts with the globally recognized World Book Day, as designated by UNESCO, can significantly amplify ongoing initiatives aimed at nurturing a truly book-loving nation. In the collective pursuit of a knowledge-driven society, it is absolutely imperative to actively encourage the reading of traditional printed books alongside the judicious and purposeful utilization of digital resources for students, teachers, researchers, and all citizens.
A broad consensus exists among stakeholders that through the meaningful observance of World Book Day, individuals from all walks of life will come to a deeper understanding of the profound importance of reading. This heightened awareness will, in turn, foster the development of stronger and more consistent reading habits, ultimately empowering individuals to achieve greater success in their respective fields and contributing to an overall enhancement in the quality of life across the nation. It is absolutely crucial to acknowledge that if Bangladesh harbors aspirations of advancing towards a truly digital future while effectively implementing the transformative agenda of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the establishment of robust and well-funded library systems, coupled with the cultivation of a widespread and deeply ingrained reading culture, is not merely desirable – it is an absolute necessity, an indispensable cornerstone of progress.
To achieve its rightful and aspired position within the Global Knowledge Index in comparison to other nations on the world stage, Bangladesh must prioritize and implement significant enhancements in both the accessibility and effective utilization of library resources and the overall quality of its education system. Alarmingly, current data reveals that Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated a comparatively weak performance in the critical domains of research, development, and innovation, regrettably occupying the lowest position among all South Asian countries in this vital index. This underscores the urgent need for a concerted national effort to revitalize research and foster a culture of innovation, with robust library systems playing a foundational role in supporting these endeavors.
The writer is a journalist