World Book Night

World Book Night is a global celebration dedicated to reading books at night. It aims to increase the demand for fiction, which many people have replaced with audiobooks or digital reading on computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. The holiday is celebrated each year on April 23.

History

The history of World Book Night is well documented. It was initiated by Jamie Bing, MD of Canongate, in 2011. His goal was to encourage more people to read books and to share the emotions and impressions gained from reading. Fiction offers a unique way to immerse yourself in a world created by the author. Reading is often more enriching than watching movies because it engages the brain to imagine the scenes, characters, and settings described by the author, rather than passively consuming ready-made images.

The name of the holiday was chosen to evoke the cozy feeling many people associate with reading at night under the warm glow of a lamp. This is a day to visit worldbooknight.org, where you can find invitations to participate in the annual reading event, interesting information about books and reading, and a curated selection of books recommended for World Book Night.

Interesting Facts

• The holiday was originally celebrated in March, but it was later moved to April 23 to coincide with World Book and Copyright Day.
• The Priss papyrus, with ancient Egyptian origins, is the oldest known book, created around 3350 B.C. Its content remains relevant today, as it discusses the conflict between generations.
• Reading can relieve stress, enhance general knowledge, stimulate the imagination, expand vocabulary, and much more. The benefits of reading books in paper form are undeniable.

How to Celebrate

Read an interesting book on this day. Explore new genres. Create a romantic reading atmosphere: light a lamp or candles, wrap yourself in a blanket, pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy your book.

Share the holiday on social networks. Ask users if they enjoy reading and how often they do it.

When is World Book Night celebrated in 2025?

World Book Night is observed on April 23 each year.

Observations