Publishers, bookshops, libraries, schools, cultural institutions and authors' societies from all over the world have undertaken to celebrate the Day and promote the enduring importance of books, a statement from UNESCO received in Accra on Saturday said.
UNESCO says it wishes to emphasize the linguistic aspect of publishing in 2008, which has proclaimed International Year of Languages by the General Assembly of t he United Nations.
"When a language has no access to the world of publishing, it is excluded – toge ther with those who speak it – from a significant part of the intellectual life a nd economic activity of society," declared the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïch i ro Matsuura in a message on the occasion of the celebration.
"In this context, it is then a matter of urgency to give languages broader access to publishing, so as to promote the exchange of books and editorial content."
The statement said on 23 April, Amsterdam would succeed Bogotá as World Book Capital City, in keeping with an initiative launched by UNESCO in 2001.
"The Netherlands' capital is planning to hold a wide range of events of international scope throughout the year including: conferences on copyright, scientific p ublishing, interculturality in literary creation, and children's books," the statement said.
"New libraries and cultural centres will be opened, and seminars will be held al ongside artistic and festive events such as a costume parade of characters from y outh literature," it added.
Accra - 19/04/2008
Panapress
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