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Area Celebrates UNESCO World Book & Copyright Day Friday April 22 and Saturday, April 23

Click here to read a message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the World Book and Copyright Day 23 April 2011

Over two days America’s only UNESCO City of Literature, will bring together United States Poet Laureate (1997—2000), translator, essayist and teacher Robert Pinsky; poet, translator, critic and editor Aliki Barnstone; a panel of scholars on the topic of emerging issues for copyright and publishing; and open-house tours of the University of Iowa’s Center for the Book.

More than a dozen area businesses, public libraries, florists, independent bookstores, artists, poets and scholars have created this celebration in honor of UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Book & Copyright Day.

By celebrating World Book Day throughout the world, UNESCO seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia where on 23 April, Saint George's Day, a rose is traditionally given as a gift for each book sold.

Events which are free and open to the public, include:

  • Friday, April 22, 11am-Noon, "Closing Chapters Opening Attachments: The Near Future of the Book" - Scholars and publishers discuss emerging issues for copyright and publishing (both traditional and electronic) in the wake of new media. Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library.
    PANELISTS: Kembrew McLeod, UI Associate Professor of Communication Studies and author of several works on intellectual property; Jim McCoy, director of the University of Iowa Press; Russell Valentino, chair, UI Department of Cinema and Comparative Literature, editor of the Iowa Review, and publisher of Autumn Hill Books; and Grainne Martin, UI’s Deputy General Counsel.
  • Friday, April 22, 2-4 pm Tour University of Iowa's Center for the Book The UICB is a nationally known graduate program in book arts and book studies. Visit the Center’s specialized classrooms and see examples of student and faculty work in bookbinding, lettering arts, papermaking, and printing. Visitors of all ages are welcome. To join in a tour come to North Hall, Floor “B” room 29, between 2-4 pm (Parking is available at the public ramp at the north end of Madison Street). Wheelchair access via the North Hall 3rd floor, East door entrance.
  • Saturday, April 23rd, Visit your area public library and receive an Iowa Wild Rose stamp when you check out a book. Bring your stamp to Capana Coffee Company (downtown Iowa City) and try some artisan rose gelato (while supplies last).

    • Stamp design by local author and illustrator Claudia McGehee

  • Saturday, April 23rd, Visit your area book shops and boutiques for in-store specials. Iowa City's Every Blooming Thing is partnering with Prairie Lights Books to provide beautiful roses to enhance the celebration. Purchase a book from Iowa Book and receive a St. George's Day memento.
Saturday, April 23, 4 pm Aliki Barnstone, Reading at Paririe Lights Books Aliki Barnstone is a poet, translator, critic, and editor. Her books of poems are Blue Earth (Iris, 2004), Wild With It (Sheep Meadow, 2002), a National Books Critics Circle Notable Book, Madly in Love (Carnegie-Mellon, 1997), Windows in Providence (Curbstone, 1981), and The Real Tin Flower (which was introduced by Anne Sexton and was published by Macmillan in 1968, when she was twelve years old).
Saturday, April 23, 7 pm Robert Pinsky, reading at the Old Capitol Museum Senate Chamber Room. United States Poet Laureate (1997-2000), Translator, Essayist, and Teacher, and founder of the Favorite Poem Project. Robert Pinsky’s first two terms as United States Poet Laureate were marked by such visible dynamism, and such national enthusiasm in response, that the Library of Congress appointed him to an unprecedented third term. Throughout his career, Pinsky has been dedicated to identifying and invigorating poetry’s place in the world. Mr. Pinksy's newest release is titled, Selected Poems.

WORLD BOOK DAY SPONSORS: Tom Simmons, University of Iowa: Department of English, Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Center for the Book, Translation Workshop, Department of Cinema and Comparative Literature, International Writing Program, Iowa City Public Library, Coralville Public Library, North Liberty Community Library, Prairie Lights Books, Iowa Book LLC, Haunted Bookshop, Murphy-Brookfield Books, Every Bloomin' Thing, Capanna Coffee Company, and the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature.