Today, April 23, is celebrated the “Spanish language day”. This day was chosen by the United Nations in order to revalue the history, culture and the use of Spanish. It is also book and copyright day.
In 2010, the UN decided to celebrate its cultural diversity and multilingualism through the establishment of the “Days of Languages” for its six official languages, among which are Spanish, French, Chinese, English, Russian, and Arabic.
The World Day of the Spanish Language is celebrated in honor of the writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who died in 1616, on April 22. But, according to the custom of the time, his death was recorded on the day of his funeral, on April 23, so historically that date was taken to commemorate his death.
The objective of the day is to spread “history, culture and the use of Spanish as a language “, according to the United Nations´ official website.
Cervantes is considered the greatest figure in Spanish literature. He was a novelist, poet, playwright and soldier. And author of “The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha”, one of the best works of universal literature, and the most published and translated book in history.
International Book Day
Today, April 23, International Day is also celebrated of the Book in coincidence with the death of Cervantes, William Shakespeare and the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, recognized as the pillars of the universal literature. The date is promoted since 1995 by Unesco, in order to promote reading, the publishing industry and intellectual protection means of copyright.
In Argentina it is an annual tradition to start the Fair International Book Fair in Buenos Aires during the week of April 23. In the Book Fair, writers, editors, readers and industry benchmarks editorial meet to share what they are most passionate about: books and literary and academic productions.
National Book Day in Argentina
But in Argentina, book day is also celebrated on the 15th of June. Why? On June 15, 1908, the contest prizes were awarded literary, organized by the then National Women’s Council. From that At the time, the agency’s library took the initiative to hold “A special day of the year to the remembrance of the book as an imperishable record of thought and life of individuals and societies, and as a link indestructible human generations of all races, languages, beliefs, etc. “
After several requests, the library of that Council achieved the expected recognition: in 1924, by national Decree of the government of Marcelo T. de Alvear, officially declared on June 15 as the “Book Festival”. Then, in 1941, the name was changed to “Book Day”, which continues to this day, but retaining the same initial objectives: to encourage reading among communities throughout the country.
Sources:
* Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación.
* Criterio.hn https://criterio.hn/…/…/23/dia-del-idioma-espanol-del-libro/
