By Michael Mandigo, Staff Writer
Susquehanna’s language fellows created two World Book Day exhibits on April 23 to showcase books of various cultures that have helped shape their identities.
The goal of World Book Day is “to celebrate books and promote literacy and reading,” according to the information pamphlet at the event.
One of the exhibits was a decorated bulletin board on the second floor of Bogar Hall.
The board presented small covers of books from many different countries with either a quote or short description of the novel.
The books were chosen by Italian fellow Emiliana Russo, French fellow Chloe Bour-Lang, Spanish fellows Pablo Millan Carbonell and Marta Mancebon Palos and German fellow Steffen Mausehund as well as other professors in the Department of Modern Languages.
Along with books from their respective cultures each fellow selected a foreign reading to share at the book shelf display in Blough-Weis Library, according to the information pamphlet.
The display was put together by the language fellows and Research Librarian Ryan Ake and Associate Professor of Chinese Li E.
The texts were presented in six different categories: climate change, Shakespeare, Italian, Spanish, French and German.
Some of the books were accompanied by a small notecard written by the fellows that included a description as well as personal comments explaining why they chose the texts.
Some of the note cards also included favorite quotes and characters from the books.
“Books contain knowledge, many different truths and are a wonderful vector to learn about other perceptions of the world,” Bour-Lang said about World Book Day.
“Authors lend their eyes and those of their characters to readers, and I think in that sense we, as teachers share the same goals,” she said.
“I personally truly believe that if people were to read just a little bit more, there would be more understanding and empathy, which is something that each and every one of us desperately need right now,” Bour-Lang continued. “Good books teach you to become a better person.”
Some of the fellows discussed what it meant for them to be able to share their culture’s literature with each other and the student body.
“Books have always played a crucial role in my life. I still remember how fond of reading I was as a child,” Russo said. “After reading ‘Little Women,’ I dreamed about the states and craved to be Jo.”
“Thanks to books I was able to immerse myself in other worlds, get lost in the stories that I lived with my mind’s eye…As an adult, books have become a necessary habit, an enjoyable meal that provides me with food for thought, a trip that enables me to explore new lands,” Russo continued.
Carbonell shared some of the traditions associated with celebrating World Book Day in Spain.
“I actually really enjoy how this event is celebrated in Spain, as the good weather is arriving, and it is just another excuse for being outdoors and meeting friends or relatives,” Carbonell said.
“It is amazing to have a walk among these stands or fairs and always discover new books, have a chat with bookstore owners, librarians or authors and learn something new,” he continued.
In 1995 the United Nations of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s General Conference chose April 23 specifically to celebrate World Book Day, according to the informational pamphlet.
The date was chosen because it is thought to be William Shakespeare’s birthday as well as the day both he and Miguel de Cervantes died.