Children Reading World Book Capital

World Book Capital Network

A diverse global partnership of organisations, civil society groups and cities that support each other to create a lasting community of readers.

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. 

Highlights

Strasbourg World Book Capital 2024

"Lire Notre Monde" Find out more about Strasbourg's programme 5 focus areas.

UNESCO calls for applications to become World Book Capital 2026
Accra signs UNESCO World Book Capital Network Charter for WBC 2023
UNESCO World Book Capital programme relaunches as a Network
James Murua Literary LiveStream 2023: Talking World Book Capital
UNESCO names Strasbourg as World Book Capital for 2024
World Book and Copyright Day

Key Information

How to become a World Book Capital

Learn more about how to join the Network; application guidelines, selection process and important deadlines.

Future World Book Capitals

Strasbourg, France 2024 & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2025

Full list of

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 

UNESCO World Book Capital cities join forces for Ukraine

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. 

World Book Capital_Ukraine
WBCs donate books to 2017 WBC Conakry

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.

UNESCO World Book Capital-Conakry,Guinea

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.

Bodour Al QasimiFormer President of the International Publishers Association