Book lovers have reason to rejoice, as on April 23 open books will literally pave the streets of downtown Bucharest, and passers by will have the chance to go back home with a new book, for free.

In celebration of the World Book day, Lipscani street in Bucharest's Old Town will be paved with thousands of open books starting 18:00 and until late at night. Passers by will be welcomed by the chain of books from the intersection of Lipscani and Smardan, all the way to Calea Victoriei, and they will be able to choose one or more of the 3,000 books donated by the Litera publishing house to take away.

April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature. On this date in 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. UNESCO created the World Book and Copyright Day, that has been celebrated on April 23 since 1995.

Internationally, the day will be marked in various ways. Readers can download for free books published over 100 years ago, now in electronic formats on their e-reading devices. Those who want to celebrate the day are also encouraged to leave a book they own on a park bench with a note saying 'happy World Book day!' More about World Book Day here.

editor@romania-insider.com