M&Greporters
The celebration of World Book Day on April 23 started in Spain and has spread around the world, receiving official recognition by Unesco. Last year, 38 countries celebrated books and reading on that day. April 23 is William Shakespeare’s birthday; in the wake of the success of the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love, perhaps that will mean something to non-readers.
Several events to celebrate World Book Day are planned for South Africa, with a programme co-ordinated by Cape Town’s Centre for the Book, and bookshop chain Exclusive Books and K-TV helping to push the idea, especially to children, that reading is fun. Libraries, bookshops, publishers and others around the country will be celebrating the written word. The Print Media Association is providing book vouchers worth a R10 discount for books bought on April 23 or 24 (see this page).
The over-arching theme of the day is “Building a nation of readers”. Unesco has already pointed out that literacy and access to reading materials are the simplest, cheapest ways to encourage development. “Books are a major vehicle for growth in a country like South Africa and also for the encouragement of cultural richness and cultural acceptance,” says Elizabeth Anderson, head of the Centre for the Book.
K-TV presenters and celebrities will host festivities around the country. Children can share their favourite books with each other – they will be encouraged to donate a book that has meant a lot to them to a library. The K-TV events will be held in the afternoon of April 23, at Killarney Mall in Johannesburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria, Cavendish Square in Cape Town, Nu Metro Court at the Pavilion in Durban, Walmer Park in Port Elizabeth and Riverside Mall in Nelspruit.
Children can sign a commemorative book which will eventually be presented to President Nelson Mandela in tribute to his concern for children the world over. When he was still in prison, he apparently insisted his grandchildren should be given books rather than other presents.
The Company’s Gardens in Government Avenue, Cape Town, will be the scene of the Centre for the Book’s programme Words in the Avenue, starting at 10.30am with Pedro Espi-Sanches – Pedro the Music Man – telling stories with music. At 11.30am, the Whirly Gig Children’s Theatre will continue the storytelling. At noon, hip-hoppers Black Noise appear, and at 12.15pm the University of Cape Town presents a drama for adult learners. At 12.45pm, a poetry reading entitled Cape Town: City in Words will take place in the atrium of the South African National Gallery. The Power Readers come “to the rescue” at 1.30pm, and Black Noise play again at 2.15pm.
Publishers and booksellers will have their wares on display at the gardens; new as well as second-hand books will be available. The centre, the art gallery, the Cultural History Museum, the South African Museum and the South African Library have special programmes and tours laid on for April 23.
A colour poster featuring the Sisulu family all reading together is available from the centre at (021) 423-2669. A story for children by Elinor Sisulu has been published in full in our sister publication, The Teacher, so it can be read to schoolchildren on World Book Day – or any other day.