The International Day of the Book

Today, 23rd of April, we are commemorating the International Day of the Book. This event was celebrated for the first time on 1995 and it is organised by UNESCO to promote the reading. The exception is United Kingdom that helds the World Book Day on the first Thursday in March. That's because it is also St George's Day, the National Saint's Day of England. 

UNESCO did not choose that day randomly. The 22nd of April, 1616, the Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes died in Madrid but he was buried on the 23rd. Every year, to commemorate his work, Don Quijote is read during two days in Alcalá de Henares, the city where the poet was born. But also, Catalonia celebrates 'The Day of the Rose' since at least 1926. In that day it's a tradition to exchange a rose and a book.

Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla also died on that same day while Maurice Druon, Manuel Mejía Vallejo and Halldór Laxness were born.

But the 23rd of April is, as well, the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare (however, at that time England was using the Julian calendar, so Shakespeare actually died on the 3rd of May).

English people want everyone to enjoy this party. For that reason, last Monday, the Shakespeare’s Globe celebrated the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth with a huge party that included bouncy castle, a hilarious tragicomedy , balloons, face painting and a delicious cake. Also, you could visit the exhibition and the stage and everything without paying the usual entrance. 

But that's not all. Even though the main focus of this year will be in Stratford Upon Avon, London has prepare, as well, a great program. The Victoria and Albert Museum are organising "a special programme of talks, performances, screenings, tours, workshops, special activities and themed events for all ages". Meanwhile, in The Globe, "four former Sam Wanamaker Fellows have been invited back to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse to present their own perspectives on Shakespeare on the page and in performance in his 450th anniversary year". And today the season starts with Hamlet so be quick and buy your tickets!