In celebration of books
World Book Day is celebrated annually on April 23 to highlight the importance of books and their influence on society.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), April 23 is a symbolic date in world literature. It is the date on which several prominent authors; William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, among others, all died.
Pranisha Parag, the principal librarian at the Bessie Head Library in Church Street said World Book Day was an iconic celebration throughout the world.
“The theme for this year is “Read your Way.” This day is celebrated worldwide in celebration of books and literature. The main aim of the day is to promote the enjoyment of books and spread the word of the joy that books bring to many. Our aim is to encourage and develop a literate society. Hence libraries offer a variety of programmes on this special day and invite children and people of all ages to visit the library,” said Parag.
She added that the Bessie Head Library celebrates World Book Day and promotes reading.
“The Bessie Head Children's Library offers an afternoon of reading in the library. In keeping with the theme, we have selected poetry as our way of reading. We invite children to read or recite poetry in an environment that is conducive to books and reading.
“We have 11 branch libraries scattered around the city and three mobile libraries. Each of our branch libraries, further offer either visits to school groups to libraries or our staff address school assemblies to promote the services the library offers to pupils. We read stories to the pupils and also encourage them to read to other pupils and the staff. This is an interactive programme in our libraries and we welcome you,”
said Parag.
Cheryl Naidoo, the manager of Exclusive Books at the Liberty Midlands Mall, said books were the "gateway to different worlds".
“Books are your super-power. Books enable you to talk to people, to write well. Books are able to educate you. If you read a book, you can learn anything,” she said.
Naidoo added that books deserved to be celebrated.
“Books are an escape and I think there is a sense of fulfillment in finishing a book. I prefer reading a book to watching a movie,” she said.
Naidoo said that trends were always changing in the land of pages and publishing.
“Younger readers often read the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' with a new book published every year. BookTok and Manga are also popular, but Manga has slowed down recently,” said Naidoo.
Thulani Yeyeye Gumede, a celebrated local author, said that books have shaped his life.
“My mom used to read books to me when I was younger and because of this, I fell in love with books and this opened a whole new world for me,” he said.
Gumede added that books, and his love for them, broadened his horizons.
“Books impacted me and how I saw the world. I try to teach my children this as well. It is like letting someone sit you down and telling you their story,” he said.
Gumede added that as an author, he hoped to relate with his readers through his books.
“As an author I want to connect with the reader. Some people who are suicidal, for example, books help them and tell them that they are not alone. It helps them get through whatever they are going through,” said Gumede.
He said there is a uniqueness to reading a book and books are often calming and help with meditation.