Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature will join United Nations Education Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) and the Creative Cities Network in the world-wide celebration of WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. In Iowa City, the day will be celebrated at several book stores where anyone purchasing a book will receive a rose. Local shops participating include: Prairie Lights Books, Iowa Book, Murphy Brookfield Books, Wild Rose Books and the Haunted Bookshop. Floral shop, Every Blooming Thing partnered with book stores to provide roses.
The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on April 23, Saint George’s Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold. April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature for on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. Jan Weissmiller, co-owner, Prairie Lights Books partnered with Every Bloomin’ Thing to celebrate the first annual World Book and Copyright Day.
“We can think of nothing more delightful than giving a rose with a book bought for love,” she said. “What a wonderful way for the citizens of literature to celebrate spring. “
It was a natural choice for UNESCO’s General Conference to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.
“Books and roses seem like the perfect gift for someone you love on a day that celebrates literature,” said Maja Hunt, co-owner, Every Bloomin’ Thing. “We’re happy to partner with local book stores in making this an annual tradition in our City of Literature.”
Jeanette Pilak, executive director of the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature looks forward to promoting this day as an annual tradition.
“It is a win-win for everyone in the community,” said Pilak. “First, you have the beautiful gift exchange of a rose and a book. Second you have the benefit of supporting two kinds of businesses in Iowa’s cultural corridor: book stores and floral shops.”
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For more information about UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day, contact Jeanette Pilak, Executive Director, Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, (319) 56-5245 or Jeanette@iowacityofliterature.org
MORE INFORMATION: UNESCO DAY OF THE BOOK
Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature website: http://www.iowacityofliterature.com/
Other contacts: Jan Weissmiller, Prairie Lights Books, 319-337-2681; Every Blooming Thing, 319-351-7242
