World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on 23 April. UNESCO established it in 1995, choosing the date because Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died on 23 April 1616. In Catalonia people have long exchanged a rose and a book on this day, the feast of Saint George (Sant Jordi). In Ukraine, too, 23 April is now Saint George's Day under the new calendar. Below are short Book Day wishes, messages for book lovers, librarians and writers, poems and gift ideas.

More for book lovers: Library Day wishes, Ukrainian Language Day wishes, Translation Day wishes.

How flowers and books are given on 23 April

Short Book Day wishes

Happy World Book Day! Fascinating pages and happy plotlines in life.
Happy Book Day! May an unread favourite always be waiting on your shelf.
Happy 23 April! Give books and roses, just like in Catalonia.
May every book open new worlds and your life be written in the finest words!

For book lovers and friends

Fellow book lover, happy Book Day! May your to-read list never end and you always find time to read.
Thank you for every book you have recommended to me. Today it is my turn to give!

For librarians and bookshops

Dear librarians, thank you for guarding the treasures of the written word and sharing them with us. Happy holiday!
To the bookshops: grateful customers and new Ukrainian titles on the shelves!

Formal wishes

Dear writers, publishers, librarians and readers, please accept our sincere congratulations on World Book and Copyright Day. Today the Ukrainian book is our identity and a voice the world can hear.
We wish you inspiration, new editions, grateful readers and peace.

Funny wishes

May your bookshelf survive all your new purchases!
May your life have only happy endings and no spoilers. Happy Book Day!

Book Day poems

A book's a friend who'll never leave,
A world that opens any time;
May stories help you to believe
And every chapter be sublime!

A rose and a book, the finest gift,
With beauty and with wisdom bound;
May every page your spirit lift
And joy in every line be found!

Gift ideas for Book Day

The best gift on 23 April is a book and a rose, as in the Catalan Sant Jordi tradition. Choose a new release by a Ukrainian author, a beautiful edition of a classic or a bookshop voucher, and add red roses; even a small bouquet makes the gift unforgettable.

15 red roses — Red roses with a book, just like on Sant Jordi

See red roses and flowers for a friend.

15 red roses with Raffaello — Roses and sweets for cosy reading

FAQ

When is World Book Day?

Every year on 23 April.

Why 23 April?

Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died on this day in 1616. UNESCO established the day in 1995.

Why give roses and books?

It is the Catalan Sant Jordi tradition, the feast of Saint George, which also falls on 23 April.

And on 3 March authors celebrate World Writers’ Day.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

World Book Day Wishes