VICTORIA, Seychelles — To commemorate World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, the Japanese Embassy in Seychelles donated 65 books to the Seychelles National Library, in a short ceremony yesterday morning at the building’s exhibition hall. The ceremony was attended by Secretary General of the department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Andre, Japanese Ambassador Makoto, and Principal Secretary Cecil Kalebi. Anael Renaud was rewarded for designing the winning poster competition that accompanied the event.
World Book and Copyright Day, which takes place all over the world, promotes the enjoyment of books and reading. It recognises the scope of books as a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures. April 23 is a symbolic date in the world of literature as it is the date when several prominent authors such as William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died.
The date was a logical selection for the general conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which took place in Paris in 1995, to honour books and authors globally, promoting access to literature for all. The donation is part of a continuing programme of cooperation between the Japanese government and the National Library, which has seen similar gifts of children’s books, Japanese-language learning materials, and works on environmental conservation over recent years. The books will be catalogued and made available for borrowing within the next two weeks.
