Telling stories is not a waste of time. Nor is listening to them. In fact, recent studies have shown that storytelling positively affects the brain. When you listen to a story it activates parts in the brain that allows you to turn the story into your own idea and experience. This is known as ‘neuro coupling’. When a group is listening to a story, every one, including the speaker, experiences similar brain activity. The brain releases dopamine, in simpler terms known as a ‘happy hormone’. All areas of the brain are activated in this process. Imagine a world with no stories or books. It would be a joyless world indeed!
Power in the pages
Tomorrow, April 23, we celebrate literature and books. Why April 23? It is a matter of coincidence that on this day many authors were born or had died! In 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died. It is also the date of the birth or death of other prominent authors – Maurice Druon, Haldor K. Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejia Vallejo.
In 1995, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) met in Paris to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors, April 23 was the natural choice. Thus was born World Book and Copyright Day.
Why was it necessary to set aside one day for books and literature? Reading is important, and setting aside a date for this purpose is to lay emphasis on this fact. But, it does not mean that reading should happen only on April 23. Instead, it is something that must grow to be a part of you through life.
This day is to encourage and help you discover the pleasure of reading. It is also a day to remember and thank writers for their immense contribution to humankind. This day gives us a chance to recognise the power of books and how they can change our lives for the better. In this light, it is necessary for us to support books and those who produce them.
Since 2001, every year the UNESCO chooses a World Book Capital. In the first year, Madrid, Spain was the chosen capital. In 2015, it was Korea and this year, the honour moves to Wroclaw, Poland. The selection committee chose Wroclaw “in light of the strong assets of its programme in terms of quality and variety” and in particular, “for its special focus on grass-root community involvement, as well as promotion of publishing, bookselling industries and libraries at regional and international levels”.
Books and reading are symbolic of progress — emotionally, socially and culturally. In recent years, books have become easy targets for those who wish to spread intolerance, reject dialogue and put down education and culture. We have read in the news of schools and newspaper and magazine offices being attacked. We also hear of books being burned. In such an atmosphere, we need to work harder to promote not only the book, but the pen, the computer and all forms of reading. Literacy is the only way we can fight ignorance and poverty, build sustainable societies and strengthen the foundations of peace.
On the shelf
Here are some good reads to celebrate your day.
Granny’s Sari by Asha Nehemiah is a lovely story about granny’s favourite sari being blown away by the wind!
Have you heard of M.F. Husain? Pick up Anjali Raghbeer’s Barefoot Hussain takes you on a crazy journey zooming in and out of paintings and through milestones in the painter’s life.
Travel back in time to Malgudi and have a whale of a time with Swami and friends in Malgudi Days by R. K. Narayan’s classic collection.
Erin Entrada Kelly writes a compassionate story in The Land of Forgotten Girls which tells the story of two Filipino sisters, abandoned by their father and living in impoverished circumstances in Louisiana, U.S. Award winning Leslie Connor gives you All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook.
Have you ever scooped up a toad and put it in your bucket? Teeny Tiny Toady in Jill Esbaum’s story watches as a giant hand scoops up her mama and puts her in a pail!
Nate Bannister, is a sixth grade genius and inventor. Every Friday he does three not-so-smart things to keep his life interesting. This time, one of them was to super-size his cat Proton and turn him invisible. Find out what happens to Nate and Proton in The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat by Paul Tobin.
In Wroclaw, Poland
Celebrations began in January. For three days, the festival was devoted to Melina Mercouri, the founder of the European Capital of Culture, Greece’s Minister of Culture and a wonderful actress; and Iannis Xenakis, one of the most original and fascinating phenomena in the history of 20th-century music. Through the year there will be games, music, theatre, films, opera and meet the author sessions.
On April 18, the Night Half-Marathon took place. Participants competed to the sounds of classical music performed live at locations along the marathon’s route.
On International Book and Copyright Day, Wroclaw will burst into life celebrating the European Night of Literature. There will be public readings by actors and celebrities.
In June, ‘Flow’ will showcase the history of Wroclaw’s development, destruction and reconstruction in the 20 century. There is also to be a concert by David Gilmour, best known for his work as guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Pink Floyd. In July, Wroclaw will transform into the Singing Capital when it brings together several dozen different choirs to showcase opera, oratorio and a cappella music.
In December, the curtains come down with a show that combines the themes recurring through the year. The project will be featuring artists from Germany, France, Israel, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Great Britain. The framework for the performance will be created by musicians from several different countries and a massive choir.
