World Book Capital Network
What is the World Book Capital Network?
The World Book Capital Network (WBCN) acknowledges the power of books and reading as cornerstones to more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies. The WBCN strengthens the World Book Capital programme’s existing commitment to literacy, lifelong learning, copyright, and freedom of expression after its relaunch as a Network. The World Book Capital cities met in September 2022 to sign the Network Charter.
UNESCO adopted the 31 C/Resolution 29, in 2001, establishing the World Book Capital (WBC) programme and naming Madrid as the first WBC city in 2001. Cities designated as UNESCO World Book Capital undertake to carry out activities with the aim of encouraging a culture of reading and diffusing the Network's values in all ages and population groups, both within and beyond national borders. Through the WBC programme, UNESCO acknowledges a city's commitment to promote books and foster reading during a 12-month period (between one World Book and Copyright Day, 23 April, and the next) as well as into the future.
Latest News
Highlights
Accra, World Book Capital 2023
Key Information
Strasbourg, France 2024 & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2025
Important Documents
World Book Capitals
- Madrid (2001)
- Alexandria (2002)
- New Delhi (2003)
- Antwerp (2004)
- Montreal (2005)
- Turin (2006)
- Bogota (2007)
- Amsterdam (2008)
- Beirut (2009)
- Ljubljana (2010)
- Buenos Aires (2011)
- Yerevan (2012)
- Bangkok (2013)
- Port Harcourt (2014)
- Incheon (2015)
- Wroclaw (2016)
- Conakry (2017)
- Athens (2018)
- Sharjah, (2019)
- Kuala Lumpur (2020)
- Tbilisi (2021)
- Guadalajara (2022)
- Accra (2023)
- Strasbourg (2024)
- Rio de Janeiro (2025)
Network Activities
Outstanding WBC Network activities and partnerships
In response to the crisis in Ukraine, UNESCO World Book Capital cities have joined forces to provide support to Ukrainian writers and translators.
The Stand With Ukrainian Writers Fund was fronted by Sharjah-based Bodour Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association and Irek Grin director of Wroclaw Literature House.
In 2017, past WBCs Wroclaw and Sharjah partnered on a project in current WBC Conakry, Guinea to provide financial support for updating and printing school textbooks for young students learning to reading. The project financed the distribution of the 100,000 textbooks to schools in Conakry.
Now more than ever, we need words to heal, and books to bridge the divide, to help give peace a chance. The literary world, I believe, offers a gateway to peace, and it’s our collective humanitarian duty as the global literary community to come together in support of this noble initiative.
World Book Capital 2024 ceremony
