Interior of the Stockholm Public Library, Sweden
© Andrei Hrabun/Alamy
International Literacy Day - A global chapter
'Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.' These words by former UN chief Kofi Annan capture the essence of International Literacy Day, celebrated every September 8. Established by UNESCO in 1966, it promotes the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and a human right. The UN estimates that at least 765 million adults worldwide cannot read and write, and millions of children are failing to learn basic literacy skills. We are marking the day with an image of the Stockholm Public Library in Sweden, or 'Stadsbiblioteket' as it is known to locals.
Here, more than 2 million volumes wait to unfold stories in over 100 languages. Designed by architect Erik Gunnar Asplund in the 1920s, the building is a towering cylinder inside a cube. The main lending library, pictured, is in the round room at the center, inviting readers into a literal circle of knowledge. On this day, let's join in a collective turning of pages in the pursuit of greater knowledge for all and creating a fairer and more literate society.