Rabat (© 2024 Afriquinfos) – Morocco’s initiative in the promotion of culture and access to knowledge, in accordance with the guidelines of King Mohammed VI, led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and culture (UNESCO) to designate the city of Rabat as “ World Book Capital » for the year 2026.
‘‘After Rio de Janeiro in 2025 and Strasbourg at this very moment, I am happy to announce the designation of Rabat as World Book Capital 2026. Rabat is a major cultural crossroads where books contribute to the transmission of knowledge and arts in all their diversity. The local book industry also plays a crucial role in improving education”, announced Audrey Azoulay Director-General of UNESCO.
With 54 publishing houses, an international book and publishing fair among the most important in Africa and a growing number of bookstores, the book chain is not only a vital element of the creative economy of Rabat , but also a powerful engine for the democratization of knowledge. ‘‘These are the reasons why the Advisory Committee of the World Book Capital proposed Rabat to be the World Book Capital 2026”, specifies the organization.
This designation is accompanied by a series of actions by Rabat to provide access to books and support the local publishing industry. It will also launch a major initiative to strengthen access to literacy for all its citizens. These actions will contribute to sustainable economic growth and social progress in the city.
« City of Light, Moroccan Capital of Culture, Rabat will add the title of World Book Capital to its list of global and regional recognitions », welcomed the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Communication in a press release, stressing that this designation will be an opportunity to advocate collective awareness of the importance of books and reading.
Throughout the year, Moroccan literature will be highlighted in various forms, such as writing, workshops, debates, training and exhibition fairs. This aims to consolidate the position of Rabat as the capital of books and reading. New permanent projects will also be launched, in particular by the creation of spaces dedicated to creation, in order to guarantee the sustainability of this distinction.
Through this rich and diverse program of activities, Rabat, as the world book capital, will aim to strengthen the place of books as a fundamental element of the cultural and creative industries, while affirming the importance of reading in the success of the new development model. This program will also highlight the cultural diversity of the country.
The year of celebration will begin on April 23, 2026, on World Book and Copyright Day.
Rabat will be the twenty-sixth city to bear this title since 2001.
The UNESCO World Book Capital Advisory Committee is composed of representatives from the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the International Authors Forum (IAF), the International Federation of Library Associations and Libraries ( IFLA), the International Publishers Association (UIE) and UNESCO.
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