Our branch campus in Quito commemorated World Book Day on April 23rd with several activities such as talks, a book fair and a competition to select the oldest and most original book. The event was organized by the reading and writing center and the library, with the support of the Abya Yala Publishing House. 

World Book Day is celebrated since April 23rd, 1616 when three prominent authors passed away: Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare and Garcilaso de la Vega. 

The speaker for the talk titled "The experience of books as a place for thought and awareness" were: María Garcés, Pedro Artieda, Bécquer Reyes and Alejandro Solís, the moderator was Jose Luis Galvan, coordinator of the academic reading and writing center. The speakers talked about the transcendence of reading in their personal and professional lives. 

"I began to see what's behind the letters, to actually feel the book. We need to be critical about what we read. We must use everything we can to grow", said Artieda. Regarding the content of books found in social networks, the speakers said we need to be analytical.

A great number of people from the university community visited the book fair that was held in "El Giron" campus; there were all types of books ranging from archaeology, ecology, education, communication, literature and so on. 

Participants also had the opportunity to exchange books, encyclopedias or movies. The winners of the competition will be announced in the next few days through the university's social networks.