Honourable senators, every year on April 23, the world is invited to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day. This date was chosen by the General Conference of UNESCO to celebrate reading, pay tribute to creators and raise awareness of the protection of intellectual property through copyright. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to promote reading throughout the year. Every year, a major event is held at the UNESCO headquarters, where booksellers, publishers and artists are invited to share their passion for books and reading by running workshops for young people.

In a world where screens and texting seem to dominate our lives, we need to remember how important it is to read and to encourage children to discover the wonderful world of books.

In the digital age, where distractions are constant and conversation is often reduced to abbreviations, books invite us to slow down, to immerse ourselves in stories rich in detail and emotion and to use our imaginations in a way that screens can’t match.

By encouraging children to love books, we give them a priceless treasure: The ability to travel through time and space without leaving the comfort of their own home. This gift, the love of reading, is one that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Behind every book is an author whose work is often overlooked. Authors are the architects of imaginary worlds, the tellers of stories that captivate and inspire. Protecting their rights is essential to ensure the diversity of literature.

On this World Book Day, as someone who has written children’s books in my spare time, I would like to recognize and celebrate the contributions that authors make to our culture.

Copyright ensures that authors keep control over the use of their creations and enables them to benefit from their work. By protecting copyright, we’re supporting authors who want to share their ideas and stories with the world, while preserving their creations.

On this World Book and Copyright Day, let’s commit to rediscovering the magic of books, honouring the writers who create them and protecting the wealth and diversity of our world literary heritage.

Every book is a story, an adventure, a mirror we can use to see ourselves in and understand the world around us.

Thank you. Wela’lioq.