A regional tradition has become an international event:
In 1995, UNESCO declared April 23 as "World Book Day", the global holiday for reading, books and the rights of authors. The UN organization for culture and education was inspired by the Catalan custom of giving roses and books on the name day of the popular saint St. George.
The "World Book Day" has also been celebrated in Germany since 1996. Every year, numerous libraries, bookshops, publishers and schools organize events around books and reading with commitment and creativity.