Every year on 23rd April, the world celebrates World Book Day. The date was chosen because it marks the death of two great authors: William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. In various African countries, the day was marked by a range of events. Here’s an overview of how it was celebrated.
In Cameroon
World Book Day was celebrated at the Cultural Centre in Yaoundé and hosted by the Ministry of Culture. Writers, publishers, booksellers, and students attended a conference about the challenges and opportunities facing Cameroonian authors. It was noted that most writers cannot live off their books alone and often have other jobs. The discussion also covered copyright, including how authors benefit when their books are translated or adapted. The day also featured reading and writing workshops.
In Nigeria
The event was organised by the mobile library network iRead in collaboration with the Lagos State Library Board. It also saw the presentation of the first African Literacy Award for children. Authors, publishers and booksellers sold books at discounted prices. Pupils from several schools attended, each accompanied by at least two teachers. To take part in the reading sessions, each pupil had to buy a book worth at least 1,000 naira. The books carried the label “DEAR – Drop Everything And Read.” Pupils also performed on stage during the event.
In South Africa
In Cape Town, a new school library was officially opened at a local primary school. The library was donated by the company Novus Holdings in partnership with Breadline Africa. More than 1,000 pupils gathered in the school courtyard for the occasion. The school’s headteacher, Mrs Rabbaney, encouraged all pupils to use the library to learn, study, and be creative. Lavender Hill, the area where the school is located, is known for gang violence, and this new library is intended to be a safe space for learning.
In the Republic of Congo
The event was held at the Lycée de la Révolution under the theme “Books and Success.” Students were introduced to the importance of books and copyright. Authors and publishers read from their works and discussed literature. Ramsès Bongolo explained that he writes to preserve the wisdom of elders and revive forgotten myths. He also spoke about the role of the internet, saying that it isn’t a threat to books if used well. “You spend more time on Facebook than with books,” he told students, “but Facebook can actually help you promote books and discover new ones.”
Jackson Darius Mackiozy Bansimba, manager of Harmattan-Congo publishing, explained the steps involved in publishing a book. He said a good writer must first be an avid reader, have some talent and inspiration. Books, he said, should educate, inform and enrich readers.
Jean Claude Ibara Mbossa, Director of Books and Public Reading in Brazzaville, said the goal of the event was to target students because reading is vital not only for their education, but also for their personal, intellectual, and cultural growth.
In Guinea
A large ceremony was held under the leadership of the Ministry of National Education and Literacy. It was an opportunity to pay national tribute to books and authors, and to encourage especially young people to discover the joy of reading and appreciate the valuable role of creators in social and cultural development.
Local languages were given special attention, highlighting their importance in preserving cultural diversity. The theme of the day was “Books and Images,” presenting the book as a powerful tool for sharing knowledge.
UNESCO’s representative in Guinea, speaking on behalf of the Director-General, said books help unite humanity by sharing a common history and heritage and building a future where all voices can be heard.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education said the Guinean government will continue to support books and reading to help children learn, grow their vocabulary and broaden their horizons.
In summary:
Across Africa, World Book Day was an opportunity to remind everyone—especially the youth—of the importance of reading. Whether through conferences, library openings, public readings or performances, the message was clear: books are essential tools for learning, cultural identity, and intellectual growth.
