Celebrated annually on April 23, National Book Day honors Kazakhstan’s literary heritage. Its mission is to foster a culture of reading, support domestic authors, and preserve the nation’s intellectual and cultural identity.
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Prominent Kazakh scholar Akhmet Baitursynuly described the book as «a core instrument for knowledge dissemination» and argued that the pursuit of knowledge should come through producing books that share learning among Kazakhs.
Many thinkers across history have reflected on the enduring value of books — often described as humanity’s «silent» companions since ancient times.
On the occasion of National Book Day, here are selected reflections on the power of books:
- «Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.» — Francis Bacon
- «Yes, we should be grateful for the best books, for the best spiritual achievements in our lives.» — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- «Learn, both from your teachers and from the books which you read, only those things which you really need and which you really want to know.» — Leo Tolstoy
- «Read the best books first, otherwise you’ll find you do not have time.» — Henry David Thoreau
- «Before gaining knowledge from books, it is first necessary to cleanse the soul and thoughts of filth and only then get down to reading.» — Abai
- «A book’s true depth by the wise is discerned; by the ignorant, its power stays unlearned!» — Yusuf Khass Hajib
- «A book is a gift of enduring pleasure; for the wise, it’s a sea of knowledge beyond measure.» — Yusuf Khass Hajib
- «No, I don’t take any drugs, I take books.» — Ingeborg Bachmann
- «We read books to find out who we are.» — Ursula K. Le Guin
When your thoughts feel scattered or uncertain, a good book can help bring clarity. Reading not only organizes ideas but also inspires deeper, more meaningful conversations.
Happy National Book Day!
