Rich tributes paid to the men of letters and creative publications of authors across the world on the World Book and Copyright Day on Thursday. Different literary organisations across the world marked the day with literary activities to promote book reading culture and remember those who have made irreplaceable contributions to social and cultural progress.
The 23rd of April is significant for the world of literature because it was on this day in 1616 that Cervantes Saavedra, William Shakespeare, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died. It is also the day that the world of literature commemorates either the birth or death of such famous writers as Maurice Druon, Haldor Kiljan Laxness, Vladimir Nobokov, Josep Pla, and Manuel Mejia Vallejo. The day is remembered to pay tribute to books, the authors who wrote them and the copyright laws that protect them.
Asim Butt, Deputy Director, Adbiyaat Department, Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) talking to newsmen said the World Book and Copyright Day increased people's understanding of copyright laws and other measures to protect copyrights.
"There is need to effectively regulate book markets and government as well private literary organisations must take measures to promote awareness about copyright among the book publishers," he said. Similarly, the associations of writers and translators should be established to protect the rights of the authors, publishers, translators and writers.
Khalil-ur-Rehman, a professor of a local college said the activities scheduled in various parts of the globe to mark the day would continue to proomote tolerance, peace, mutual understanding and respect for the diverse and rich cultures of the world. He said book reading habit should be developed at early age so that creative skills of children could be enhanced besides their character building.
Each year the World celebrates World Book and Copyright Day on April 23. This day, formalised by a resolution adopted in 1995 by the 28th session on the General Conference of Unesco, seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.