Discover International Literature Day: history, mission, and ways to celebrate the power of words worldwide.
Every June, Americans mark their calendars for summer holidays, graduations, and festivals. Starting in 2026, another date will be added to the list: June 9, International Literature Day (ILD). This new global observance is dedicated to celebrating the enduring power of words, the diversity of languages, and the art of human expression.
International Literature Day is not just another cultural holiday. It is a movement designed to unite communities across borders, elevate new voices, and remind us why literature matters in our daily lives. Whether you are a casual reader, a poet, or someone who loves stories, ILD offers a chance to pause and reflect on the role literature plays in shaping human connection.
What Is International Literature Day?
International Literature Day (ILD) is a global awareness day observed annually on June 9. It was founded in 2025 by Julius Choudhury, a writer, journalist, and entrepreneur, during the founding meeting of Literature Omnibus, a creative platform dedicated to celebrating freedom of thought and expression.
The mission of ILD is clear:
- Inspire literary conversation.
- Elevate new and diverse voices.
- Preserve linguistic diversity.
- Unite cultures and communities through the transformative power of literature.
As Choudhury explained during the first literary meet at Gazipur Media Center in June 2025, “Literature is a bridge connecting people and societies. It is the art that allows us to share our deepest emotions and ideas.”
The Founders and Endorsements
ILD is not the vision of one person alone. Alongside Julius Choudhury, the initiative was endorsed by:
- Saba Murtaz, writer, journalist, researcher, and co-founder of Literature Omnibus.
- Mohammed Ahsan Habib, retired marine engineer, poet, journalist, researcher, and publisher.
Together, they emphasized that literature is more than entertainment—it is a cultural force that shapes empathy, identity, and community.
The Inaugural Celebration in 2026
The first official International Literature Day will be celebrated worldwide on June 9, 2026. The inaugural theme is “Literature for the Betterment of All.”
Events will include:
- Local literary festivals.
- Poetry readings and storytelling sessions.
- Online discussions hosted on LiteratureDay.org, the central hub for resources, event information, and global participation.
Organizers encourage people to celebrate wherever they are—whether by hosting a book club, attending a reading, or simply sharing a favorite poem online.
Literature vs. Literacy: Clearing the Confusion
It’s easy to confuse International Literature Day (June 9) with International Literacy Day (September 8). While the names sound similar, their missions are very different.
- International Literacy Day, established by UNESCO in 1966, focuses on the basic ability to read and write. It highlights the global challenge that millions of adults and children still lack literacy skills.
- International Literature Day, on the other hand, celebrates the art that literacy makes possible—novels, poetry, drama, and storytelling.
As UNESCO explains, literacy is a “fundamental human right”. Literature builds on that foundation, reminding us why we read and write in the first place: to share creativity, emotion, and human experience.
Why International Literature Day Matters for Americans
For American readers, ILD offers a chance to connect with global literary traditions while celebrating homegrown voices. Literature has always played a central role in American culture—from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass to Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
Here’s why ILD is relevant in the U.S.:
- Cultural Diversity: America is home to countless immigrant communities. ILD highlights the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and celebrating stories from every background.
- Education: Schools and universities can use ILD to inspire students to read beyond the curriculum and engage with global literature.
- Community Engagement: Local libraries, bookstores, and cultural centers can host events that bring neighbors together through shared stories.
As Julius Choudhury noted, “The joy of literature is not confined to one nation. It belongs to everyone, everywhere.”
Practical Ways to Celebrate International Literature Day
You don’t need to be a scholar or writer to take part in ILD. Here are some practical ideas:
- Host a Reading Circle: Gather friends or family to read aloud from favorite books or poems.
- Visit Your Local Library: Explore works from authors around the world. Many libraries will host ILD-themed events.
- Support Independent Bookstores: Buy a book from a local shop and share your experience online.
- Engage Online: Use hashtags like #InternationalLiteratureDay to join global conversations.
- Introduce Children to Literature: Read stories together to spark curiosity and imagination.
Literature as a Global Connector
One of the most powerful aspects of ILD is its emphasis on literature as a connector across cultures. From Japanese haiku to Latin American magical realism, literature reflects the diversity of human thought.
Saba Murtaz explained during the founding announcement: “Literature is not about statistics. It is about the cultural and emotional impact of storytelling. It fosters empathy across generations.”
This global perspective is especially important today, when digital platforms allow stories to travel faster than ever. ILD encourages us to use those platforms to share creativity rather than division.
The Role of Literature Omnibus
At the heart of ILD is Literature Omnibus, the organization founded by Julius Choudhury. Literature Omnibus is described as “an inspiring, inclusive, open, and creative literary initiative rooted in the spirit of beauty and creation”.
Its mission is to provide a platform for writers, researchers, and creative professionals to collaborate and celebrate the elegance of expression. Through Literature Omnibus, ILD has a strong foundation to grow into a truly global movement.
Looking Ahead: The Future of ILD
International Literature Day is still in its infancy, but its vision is ambitious. By 2026 and beyond, organizers hope to:
- Establish ILD as a recognized global observance.
- Encourage schools and universities to integrate ILD into their calendars.
- Build partnerships with cultural institutions worldwide.
- Inspire new generations of writers and readers.
The official website, LiteratureDay.org, will serve as the central hub for updates, resources, and participation opportunities.
Why June 9 Matters
International Literature Day is not a date chosen at random. June 9 carries deep symbolic weight across cultures and literary traditions. Several towering figures in world literature and thought are connected to this day—through their birth or death anniversaries—making it a fitting choice for a global celebration of words.
- Charles Dickens, one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era, died on June 9, 1870. His works such as Oliver Twist and David Copperfield remain cornerstones of world literature.
- William Carey, a pioneer in Bengali prose and translation, passed away on June 9, 1834. His contributions to South Asian literature and the printing industry highlight the global reach of this date.
- Miguel Ángel Asturias, Nobel Prize–winning Guatemalan writer and a key figure in magical realism, died on June 9, 1974, adding Latin American resonance to the day.
- Alain LeRoy Locke, philosopher and central thinker of the Harlem Renaissance, died on June 9, 1954, underscoring the importance of African American literary heritage.
- Bertha von Suttner, Austrian novelist and the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, was born on June 9, 1843. Her novel Lay Down Your Arms shaped global antiwar movements and proved literature’s power to change society.
- Patricia Cornwell, bestselling American crime novelist, and Michael J. Fox, actor and memoirist, were both born on June 9, showing how contemporary voices also share this date.
- Other notable names include Iain Banks (Scottish novelist), Paul Beatty (Booker Prize–winning American author), Cole Porter (lyricist and composer), and Aaron Sorkin (screenwriter and playwright). Together, they represent the diversity of genres—novels, poetry, drama, memoirs, lyrics, and screenplays—that literature encompasses.
This remarkable constellation of anniversaries demonstrates why June 9 is more than symbolic—it is a day when literature’s past, present, and future converge. From Dickens’ Victorian novels to Beatty’s modern satire, from Carey’s translations to Sorkin’s screenplays, June 9 reflects literature’s ability to adapt, inspire, and connect across generations.
For American readers, the date resonates strongly: Locke’s Harlem Renaissance legacy, Cornwell’s crime fiction, Beatty’s Booker Prize win, and Fox’s memoirs all highlight how U.S. voices shape global literature. At the same time, the international connections—from Europe to Latin America to Asia—make June 9 a truly universal day of celebration.
That is why International Literature Day belongs on June 9. It honors the timeless power of words, the diversity of voices, and the enduring truth that literature is not bound by geography or genre. Each year, this day will remind us that stories—whether in novels, poems, plays, or songs—are the threads that weave humanity together.
