Life is so strange right now. Stores are closed, everything is cancelled, and you can’t go out. What if there were something that could decrease your stress, entertain you, and even help you sleep?
Good news! Reading can help with all of that—and World Book Day is a great time to start!
Exercise
Tap all the highlighted words in the article to see their definition. ⇩World Book Day
Founded by UNESCO, the goal of World Book Day is to encourage people to love reading.
In most countries, World Book Day is on April 23. In the UK and Ireland, it’s on the first Thursday in March.
April 23 is significant: It’s the birth and death date of English playwright William Shakespeare. It’s also the death date of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes.
Literary Celebrations
La Diada de Sant Jordi
In Catalonia, Spain, World Book Day is the same date as St. George’s Day (La Diada de Sant Jordi). It’s traditional on this day to give flowers and roses as gifts.
Free books
In the UK and Ireland, special tickets are given out to students. These can be exchanged at bookstores for a free book!
Costumes
In some countries, students go to school and events dressed up as characters from their favourite stories.
Read-a-thons
Some schools celebrate with read-a-thons, a type of fundraiser. Readers collect money for charities by getting pledges and reading for a specific amount of time.
National Shakespeare Day
Not only is April 23 World Book Day, but it’s also the celebration of William Shakespeare’s birthday!
The centre of the festivities is Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace. Celebrations include a procession led by the mayor to lay flowers on Shakespeare’s grave.
In London, a popular activity is to visit the Globe Theatre. The Globe is closed right now, but you can take a virtual tour or watch plays on their website.
Talk Like Shakespeare
Shakespeare Day is also known as “Talk Like Shakespeare Day.” On April 23, Shakespeare fans practice their Shakespearean English! Want to give it a try? Check out an online guide!
Open a Book
Luckily, you don’t need a big, crowded event to enjoy books. On World Reading Day, do something good for yourself and start reading!
Exercise
Choose the correct option.
Shakespeare and World Book Day Comprehension
very interesting topic, I didn’t know about the World Book Day.
You’re welcome, Clara.
Very interesting, my son loves to wear fancy dress during this day. He usually buy in this day a lot of books, you can find everywhere good discount
Thank you for sharing this with us 🙂
The George’s day is an especially day for Catalonia. This year has been very sad because the streets have not been filled of books and roses.
I know, it hasn’t been the same this year.
I am catalan and in this day,we gif red roses to our partner and recive a book from her ,in this year 2020 and for the danger of coronavirus that day could be celebrate on Next July if it not we were attacked for the virus
May you put the link of the Globe Theatre’s website, please? Thanks a lot