Looking out to the World – April

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”  – Charles W. Eliot

The book is in focus of the attention in April

Writing systems were created in ancient civilizations. Tree bark, stones, papyrus, clay or metal sheets was used for writing. In Egypt – about 5,000 years ago the alphabetic writing emerged. In the 5th century A.D. the parchment became the main writing material. Before the invention of the printing press, monks copied text in monasteries by the Latin writing tradition and the peculiar medieval book culture emerged.  In the medieval Islamic world also produced books with  advanced techniques, Arabic calligraphy and miniatures. Throughout the centuries there was woodblock printing, woodcut and incunabula as a method of printing. Around 1450 Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type in Europe. In the early 19th century steam-powered printing presses became popular. Modern paper books are printed on papers which are designed specifically for the publication of printed books. Nowadays the e-book became popular, which is a digital version of a conventional print book. All the same that an e-book or a traditional printed book, we mustn’t forget: A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend.

International Day of Book

In every year April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature for on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes and Shakespeare. On this day the World celebrates the reading, the 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.

Edited by Ilona Kaszanyi

Tagged books, Photography