It is Fifteen years have passed since UNESCO declared 23 April as "World Book and Copyright Day". Now, a growing number of partners are celebrating this day, that proved itself to be, since its inception, important for reflecting and spreading information about a very important subject.
Millions of people have been celebrating this day in more than 100 countries under the framework of associations, schools, public bodies, professional associations and private institutions. During this period, World Book and Copyright Day succeeded in mobilizing many people from all continents and cultural platforms for the sake of Book and Copyrights. This occasion gave them the opportunity to discover the world of book in its multiple facets and to express the true appreciation thereof. This means that book becomes the medium of expressing values, the transporter of knowledge, the reservoir of intangible heritage, the window that overlooks the cultural diversity, the medium of dialogue, the source of wealth, and the fruit of creative persons' efforts who are protected by the copyright law.
All these aspects have been the subject of many initiatives in the field of awareness and promotion that achieved tangible results, but this is not sufficient, and we shall proceed with this path tirelessly.
In 2000, a second initiative for professional organizations has been emerged from world book and copyright day, which has been supported by UNESCO and the member states. This initiative is the World Book Capital Initiative. Every year, a city is to be selected, through a series of initiatives and activities, to perpetuate the momentum of celebrating this World Day till its anniversary in the next year. Almost every region of the world participated, one by one, in this process, which transformed this celebration into a spring with permanent flow as to geographically and culturally deliver the shine of book as far as possible.