Nicosia: Cyprus' involvement in World Children's Book Day 2026 has achieved significant global reach, with the official poster and message being distributed to 85 countries. This initiative underscores the importance of book access as a fundamental right for every child, as stated by the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights during a press conference in Nicosia, preceding the April 2 celebration. The Cyprus Association on Books for Young People, the national section of IBBY, was tasked with developing the official 2026 poster and message.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou highlighted that the message, 'Plant stories and the world will blossom,' is designed to underscore the significance of reading and children's literature, as well as to promote international collaboration in children's and youth literature. She also unveiled the Deputy Ministry's reading promotion initiative under the same slogan, indicating that it is part of broader efforts by the Deputy Ministry and President Nikos Christodoulides to enhance cultural education. This initiative aims to nurture a culture of reading and engage children and their communities, with the message being disseminated throughout Cyprus via programs in small municipal and community libraries.
Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights Elena Perikleous emphasized the direct connection between reading and children's rights, asserting that access to books, stories, and imagination is a right, not a privilege. She stressed the importance of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to hear a story, see themselves represented in literature, and dream, with special consideration for children in vulnerable situations, such as those with disabilities, refugee children, and those living on the margins.
Charalambos Demetriou, Vice President of the Cyprus Association on Books for Young People and a member of the IBBY Executive Committee, described this year's event as historic for Cyprus. He noted that Cypriot children's and youth literature has significantly evolved over the past 15 to 20 years, transitioning from a predominantly post-1974 focus to encompass a wider range of contemporary themes. He informed CNA that despite the high quality of Cypriot writing, its international visibility is hindered by language and translation barriers, highlighting the necessity for increased support for translation and global distribution.
The Cypriot poster and message were chosen through a selection process involving children from 19 schools. The association is commemorating the anniversary with a series of events in Cyprus and participation in the Bologna Children's Book Fair, as part of broader efforts to enhance the global presence of Cypriot children's literature.