It’s Time for Books to Ignite Civilization
(Reflection on World Book and Copyright Day, April 23)
By: Ali Aminulloh
Dawn had not yet fully risen when the first page was opened. Amidst the still silence, a single word descended as light: “Iqra” (read). The first commandment in the Quran is not merely an invitation, but the foundation of civilization. From there, human history moves: from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge. And books in all their forms serve as a long bridge connecting the two.
On April 23, the world pauses to celebrate this power on World Book and Copyright Day, a global initiative initiated by UNESCO in 1995. This date was chosen for a reason. It bears the imprint of world literary history: the death of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega in 1616. These great names whose works transcend time, remind us that writing can transcend the limitations of human time.
However, long before that, the tradition of loving books had been alive in society. In Catalonia, Spain, every April 23rd is celebrated as Saint Jordi Day, a day when people exchange books and roses. A simple symbol: knowledge and love go hand in hand. From there, the idea of Book Day grew, eventually becoming a global movement.
Book Day is not just a commemoration, but a calling. A calling to build a reading culture that doesn’t stop in the classroom. Books are tireless teachers, unjudgmental friends, and windows always open to the wider world. In them, civilization is passed down from generation to generation without losing its meaning.
More than that, books also stand on a struggle that is often overlooked: copyright. Behind every page lies the long work of authors, illustrators, and publishers, which deserves to be appreciated. Without copyright protection, creativity would lose its space to grow. Valuing works is not just a legal matter, but an ethical one, about how we view the value of an idea.
Worldwide, World Book Day is celebrated in various ways: through reading campaigns, book discussions, exhibitions, and book exchanges between communities. In Indonesia, this spirit also resonates through literacy festivals, book bazaars, and reading movements in schools and public spaces. All of these efforts are aimed at the same goal: to broaden access to knowledge.
However, behind these celebrations lies a reality that cannot be ignored. Millions of people worldwide still cannot read. Even amidst the rapid digital age, literacy skills are not yet fully proportional to access to information. We live in an age where information is abundant, but not all of it is meaningful. This is where reading is no longer enough. It must be accompanied by critical thinking skills.
Books, ultimately, are not just objects. They are symbols. Symbols of humanity’s journey in search of meaning, understanding the world, and knowing ourselves. They are proof that civilization is built not by physical strength, but by ideas.
Therefore, every time a book is opened, we are truly continuing the first commandment, the Iqra. Reading is not just an activity, but a way of life. And with every word we understand, we are rewriting the future.
Indonesia, April 23, 2026
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