World Book Day: The World's Call For Literacy And Love To Read

Wednesday, April 23 is World Book Day. (Unsplash.com Photo)

JAKARTA Every April 23, the world celebrates World Book Day, the global momentum that UNESCO has set since 1995 to remind the importance of reading, copyright, and literacy culture. This date is not just a symbolic choice April 23, it is the day of the death of great writers such as Williamyanese and Miguel de Cervantes.

Reporting from Wikipedia, the tradition of celebrating his own book began in Catalunya, since 1923. His initial idea from Valencia writer Vicente Clavel Andres was a way to appreciate the writer Miguel de Cervantes who died on that date. This sweet moment is now a universal symbol of the importance of literacy.

Commemoration of World Book Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries. Various activities are held, ranging from book exhibitions, reading campaigns, to literacy discussions. The goal is one: to invite the community, especially the younger generation, to love books again in the midst of digital flows and fast food entertainment.

However, challenges are still big. Although technology is growing rapidly, millions of people in the world have not been able to read. World Book Day is a call to expand access to education, especially in disadvantaged areas.

Interest in reading in Indonesia itself is still very low. According to UNESCO data reported by the callainstitute, Indonesia ranks second lowest in terms of world literacy. The figure is only 0.001%. This means that out of 1,000 Indonesians, only one likes to read.

Another research from Central Connecticut State University in 2016 also showed the same thing. In the ranking of the World's Most Literate Nations, Indonesia is in 60th position out of 61 countries. Indonesia only excels from Botswana, and is one level below Thailand.

In fact, in terms of literacy supporting infrastructure, Indonesia actually got a better assessment than several European countries. However, the facilities are not yet comparable to the public's interest in reading.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2020 strengthens this fact. Only about 10% of Indonesians regularly read books.

This condition is certainly concerning and a big challenge in building literacy culture in Indonesia.

In fact, according to the General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun, the book is important because reading books is a practice for the brain and taste. This activity provides many benefits.

"Unlike reading on a cellphone or laptop that can have an impact on eye health, reading a printed book does not have a similar effect," he explained when asked for views on World Book Day, Wednesday, April 23.

In the fast-paced era of social media, reading is a form of silence. Not only enriching knowledge, but also training empathy and curing lives from routines. World Book Day is here to remind: the future of civilization starts from one page that is read, and one child who is invited to play letters.