World Book & Copyright Day: A Worldwide Tribute to Books and Authors

Global Business

“Reading is equivalent to thinking with someone else’s head instead of with one’s own.”— Arthur Schopenhauer

The 23rd of April is a symbolic date for world literature. It is on this date in 1616 that Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all passed away. It was a natural choice for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during its general conference held in Paris in 1995, to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors on this date. Moreover, it served as encouragement to 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. To this end, UNESCO created the World Book and Copyright Day.

Book lovers have been swarming to one of the world’s major book events: the London Book Fair. Global publishers get to explore and capitalize on the innovations shaping the publishing world. CCTV’s Ma Shuo reports.

Publishers showcase latest industry developments

Book lovers have been swarming to one of the world's major book events - The London Book Fair. Global publishers get to explore and capitalize on the innovations shaping the publishing world. Ma Shuo reports.

The Sanlian bookstore, soon to be designated a cultural landmark, has launched as Beijing’s first 24-hour bookstore. Owned by the China Publishing Group Corporation, it’s one of the major bookstores in the country. It has started its trial run, and the news has been warmly received by the public. CCTV’s Hou Na visits the store.

Beijing Opens First 24-Hour Bookstore

Beijing's first 24-hour bookstore, to be a cultural landmark, has been launched by the Sanlian Bookstore. Owned by the China Publishing Group Corporation, Sanlian is a major bookstore in the country. It has started its trial run, and the news has been warmly received by the public. Hou Na went there, and brings us this story.

Literacy and education boost one’s earning potential and benefit the economy. If companies have more skilled workers, they produce higher quality goods. The World Literary Association estimates that illiteracy costs the global economy more than a trillion dollars each year. For more on this topic, CCTV’s Phillip Yin sits down with Annamaria Lusardi, a professor at George Washington University’s business school.

Annamaria Lusardi on Impact of Literacy

Having a basic education increases your earning potential and its good for the economy. If companies have more skilled workers, they produce higher quality goods. The World Literary Association estimates that illiteracy costs the global economy more than a trillion dollars each year. For more on this topic, Annamaria Lusardi, a professor at George Washington University's business school, joined CCTV's discussion.