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Get ready to celebrate literature and Canadian authors on Canada Book Day on April 23! This day was officially declared by the Government of Canada in 1997, with the goal of promoting and celebrating the rich culture of Canadian literature. It also coincides with UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day. So why not take this opportunity to discover a new Canadian author or revisit an old favorite? From fiction to non-fiction, poetry to graphic novels, there is a wide range of genres and styles to explore. Let's honor the power of storytelling and support our local literary talents on this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UNESCO's World Book Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>UNESCO proclaimed April 23rd as World Book and Copyright Day. It celebrates the contribution of books and authors to social and cultural progress.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Government Officially Designates Date</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Canadian Government officially declared April 23 as Canada Book Day to celebrate Canadian literature and the contribution of authors.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>The Canada Council for the Arts Support</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Canada Council for the Arts began supporting Canada Book Day by funding various literary activities nationwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Digital Publishing</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the increasing popularity of eBooks, Canada Book Day started emphasizing digital literature and Canadian online publishing platforms.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Celebration and Promotion Efforts</div><div class='timeline-text'>Efforts were intensified to promote Canadian literary works internationally, tying Canada Book Day celebrations with global literature events.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations for Canada Book Day moved online, showcasing the adaptability and resilience of Canadian literary community.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a book swap</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family to bring their favorite Canadian books to swap with others. This is a great way to discover new authors and stories while celebrating Canada Book Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a book reading/signing by a Canadian author</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support local authors by attending a book reading or signing event. You can even purchase a signed copy of their book as a souvenir of Canada Book Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a Canadian-themed book club</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather a group of friends and choose a Canadian author or book to discuss every month. You can also incorporate Canadian snacks and drinks into your meetings for an extra touch of celebration.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a local bookstore</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend the day browsing and supporting your local bookstore. You can also ask for recommendations on Canadian books to read in honor of Canada Book Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a book-themed dinner party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Choose a Canadian book or author as the theme for your dinner party and create dishes inspired by the story. This is a fun and creative way to celebrate Canada Book Day with friends and family.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates Canadian literature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Canada Book Day is a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate the diverse and talented authors that come from Canada. It's a day to promote the reading and appreciation of Canadian literature and all the stories it has to tell.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Supports local bookstores and businesses</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On Canada Book Day, many bookstores offer special promotions or events to celebrate. This is a great way to support your local booksellers and contribute to your community by encouraging literacy and book culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages reading and learning</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Canada Book Day is all about promoting reading and learning in a fun and engaging way. Whether it's discovering new Canadian authors or revisiting old favorites, this day provides an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in literature and expand your knowledge.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>This day also acknowledges Canada’s bilingual literary culture</h3><p class='facts-content'>Canada Book Day celebrates not just English books but also French, highlighting the country's rich bilingualism and varied literary tradition.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Canada is home to many internationally acclaimed authors</h3><p class='facts-content'>From Alice Munro, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature, to Margaret Atwood, whose novels have been adapted into successful TV series, Canadian authors have made significant international impact.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>First Nations literature is an integral part of Canada's literary identity</h3><p class='facts-content'>Canada Book Day serves as a platform to highlight and appreciate the narratives and perspectives of Indigenous authors, helping to enrich Canada's diverse literary tapestry.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Canada’s Governor General’s Literary Awards is one of the oldest literature awards</h3><p class='facts-content'>Established in 1936, this annual award recognizes Canadian authors who have contributed exceptional works in literature, emphasizing the value of literary arts in the country.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Canada has a diverse range of literary festivals and fairs</h3><p class='facts-content'>From the Toronto Comic Arts Festival to the Vancouver Writers Fest, Canada hosts numerous literary events throughout the year, celebrating various genres and forms of writing.</p></div></div>
Canada Book Day is celebrated on April 23 every year. In 2024 Canada Book Day will occur on a Tuesday.
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