World Book Day 2025

World Book Day is a global celebration dedicated to promoting reading, publishing, and copyright. Established by UNESCO in 1995, it is now observed annually and falls on March 7th in Ireland and the UK. This date holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of the deaths of literary giants such as William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. So, global luminaries. 

Origins

The origins of World Book Day trace back to 1922 when Vicente Clavel, a Valencian writer and publisher, proposed a day to honour Cervantes and boost book sales. Initially celebrated on October 7th, Cervantes’ believed birthday, it was later moved to April 23rd, the date of his death, to align with the feast of Saint George—a day traditionally associated with the exchange of books and roses in Catalonia. 

Ireland

In Ireland, World Book Day has been embraced with enthusiasm and we upload videos of our authors across social media to celebrate their successes and contributions to the book world. We show our love for all things authors, books and publishing.

We love books in Ireland - the land of saints and scholars. A recent 2024 study revealed that 91% of Irish respondents had read a book in the past 12 months, underscoring a robust reading culture.  Additionally, Ireland ranked third in the European Union for online book purchases, with 22.2% of residents buying books online. Not bad at all (photo of Anne Hayden's book on plastic food packaging). 

The Global Picture

Globally, reading habits vary. The United States leads with an average of 17 books read per person annually, followed by India at 16, and the United Kingdom at 15.  However, challenges persist. A 2024 report indicated a 4.4% decrease in the number of books read by children across the UK and Ireland, highlighting the need for initiatives like World Book Day to foster a love for reading among younger generations (photo of Niall MacGiolla Bhuí's book on navigating the publishing landscape). 

A Reminder...

World Book Day serves as a reminder of the transformative power of books. It encourages individuals of all ages to explore new worlds, gain knowledge, and develop empathy through reading. By celebrating authors, books, and the act of reading, we acknowledge the pivotal role literature plays in shaping societies and bridging cultural divides.

Trending Hashtags: #WorldBookDay #LoveReading #BookLovers #ReadingCulture #LiteracyMatters

References:

• UNESCO. “World Book and Copyright Day.”

• World Population Review. “Average Books Read Per Year by Country 2024.”

• The Guardian. “Children reading fewer, less challenging books, UK and Ireland study finds.”

• The Independent. “Ireland places third in new EU ranking for online buyers of books.”

• The Bookseller. “UK among nations with the biggest reading public according to new global EIBF study.”

Bibliography:

• “World Book and Copyright Day.” UNESCO,

• “Average Books Read Per Year by Country 2024.” World Population Review,

• “Children reading fewer, less challenging books, UK and Ireland study finds.” The Guardian,

• “Ireland places third in new EU ranking for online buyers of books.” The Independent,

• “UK among nations with the biggest reading public according to new global EIBF study.” The Bookseller,