D.E.A.R. Day
April 12, Saturday
Date of the celebration
D.E.A.R. Day is celebrated on April 12th, the birthday of the famous writer Judith Viorst, author of the series of books about a boy named Alexander. In her books, she pays special attention to the themes of life and development, which became the basis for creating this holiday.
History of the celebration
The celebration was established in 1999 in the United States and has since become popular in various countries. The inspiration for this day came from Judith Viorst's book "It's Time to Read!", in which the main character, Alexander, spends the day forgetting all his responsibilities and dedicating himself entirely to reading.
How is it celebrated?
On “Drop Everything and Read” Day, anyone interested can stop their daily activities and dedicate time to reading. Schools and libraries often organize special events for children and adults, such as:
1. Reading aloud
2. Organizing book clubs
3. Reading excerpts from favorite books
4. Reading speed competitions
Goals of the celebration
The main goal of D.E.A.R. Day is to encourage people, especially children, to read more. It’s a great way to remind everyone of the importance of reading and how it helps develop thinking, creativity, and enriches our inner world.
In a world full of modern technologies and entertainment, it’s important to pay attention to the tradition of reading. This day serves as a reminder of how important it is to read books and how beneficial it is to spend time reading, even in a world where we are often distracted by screens.