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
I didn’t know about the date Miguel the Cervantes and Shakespeare died and Noe I know that. So, the reading is very interesting and amusing.
Very interesting!
Very interesting. Thanks
You’re welcome 🙂
thank you Andrea, I didnt know that April 23 is the World Book Day,
and I was a librarian….
We all learn new things when we least expect it. 🙂
Very interesting👍
Thank you 🙂
Very nice the Diada de Sant Jordi tradition
Yea, it’s a nice tradition.