Since 1995, April 23rd has been more than just another day on the calendar. Thanks to UNESCO, it’s the official World Book and Copyright Day—a global celebration of reading, literature, and the brilliant minds who shaped it. The date was chosen to honor two literary giants who passed away on this day: Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. The tradition began in Spain, where the day also coincides with the beloved Festival of the Rose and St. George’s Day.

Here in Bucharest, the love for books is in full bloom today.

This Thursday, starting at 16:00, the Reading Marathon – You Read, We Donate! kicks off at the Cervantes Institute. Organized by Booktopia in collaboration with Humanitas bookstores, the event promises to be a delightful celebration of Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote de la Mancha.

The reading will be officially opened by His Excellency Ramiro Fernandez Banchiller, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, followed by Sorin Mărculescu, the translator of Cervantes’ masterpiece into Romanian. But the stage won’t be reserved only for dignitaries—students, book lovers, and even members of the diplomatic corps will take part in reading excerpts, alternating between Spanish and Romanian editions. Each reader will have up to two minutes to bring Don Quijote’s story to life.

If you’d like to join, you can register by phone at 021 210 27 37 or email: clutbuc@cervantes.es.

And the bookish joy doesn’t stop there.

Later in the evening, at 18:30, Litera Publishing invites everyone to the 3rd edition of Open Books Night, in front of the Parliament Palace. Over 10,000 books will be donated to eager readers as part of this magical event designed to take literature to the streets—literally. The idea? Create a living circle of readers around the Palace, each holding an open book, reminding us that reading is not just a private joy but a public act of culture.

Whether you’re reading aloud from Cervantes or simply opening a book under the evening sky, today is the perfect moment to reconnect with the written word

Happy World Book Day. Read on—and pass it on!