Every year on May 17, Indonesia celebrates National Book Day, a special occasion for book lovers and literacy advocates alike. This day honors the spirited journey to preserve reading culture and encourage widespread literacy. Let’s explore the meaningful history behind this important date.
📚 Origins of National Book Day
- Founded in 2002, the idea for National Book Day was proposed by Indonesia’s then-Minister of Education, Abdul Malik Fadjar, who was concerned about the low literacy rate—only about 87.9% of citizens aged 15 and older could read at the time.
- He chose May 17 to commemorate the establishment of the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) on that date in 1980. Fadjar viewed it as a prime opportunity to inspire more Indonesians to embrace reading as a gateway to knowledge.
🎯 Why May 17?
This date marks the founding of Perpusnas, a key institution in safeguarding reading culture and providing vital access to books. By celebrating on this day, National Book Day encourages the public to visit the National Library and take advantage of its rich resources.
🌱 Efforts to Boost Reading & Literacy
Since the inception of National Book Day, various stakeholders like government agencies, NGOs, literary communities, and educators have organized events such as:
- Book fairs and exhibitions
- Panel discussions and seminars
- Storytelling sessions for children
- Awards for authors and publishers
- Free book giveaways
These initiatives aim to foster a love for reading and make books an everyday habit.
📖 Meaning & Impact of National Book Day
This day goes beyond celebration—it’s a moment of reflection and action to strengthen Indonesia’s reading culture. The goal is to remind people of the importance of books and to promote reading as part of daily life.
Let’s use National Book Day to:
- Encourage more people to read and improve literacy
- Honor writers and publishers
- Build a positive reading culture
- Celebrate books as windows to knowledge
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Book enthusiasts know the dangers of damage from termites, mold, and environmental wear. A smart way to safeguard your collection is using durable, high-quality storage containers—like ALVAboard Boxes made from premium polypropylene (PP).
Why ALVAboard is Worth It:
- Termite-resistant: Offers robust defense compared to paper-based storage
- Mold-resistant: Withstands humidity and prevents mildew
- Built to last: Durable and stable under various conditions
Protecting your valuable books from pests, mold, and degradation is essential—and ALVAboard Boxes are designed to do exactly that.
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