Every year, UNESCO and the international organizations representing the book industry—the International Publishers Association (IPA), and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)—select the World Book Capital for a one-year period starting 23 April, which is World Book and Copyright Day.

These initiatives are important collaborations between leading world publishing stakeholders and cities whose goal is to promote literacy, reading and book culture.

English

  • 2019 call for applications [PDF]
  • Application Form [MS Word]
  • Member States of UNESCO by region [PDF]

Français

  • 2019 appel à candidatures [PDF]
  • Formulaire de candidature [MS Word]
  • Liste des états membres de l’UNESCO par région [PDF]

Completed applications – including a letter of support from the mayor of the candidate city – drafted in either English or French, should be submitted to UNESCO no later than 15 March 2017. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Current and future World Book Capital Cities:

  • 2016: Wrocław (Poland)
  • 2017: Conakry (Republic of Guinea)
  • 2018: Athens (Greece)

Past World Book Capital Cities:

Madrid (Spain, 2001), Alexandria (Egypt, 2002), New Delhi (India, 2003), Antwerp (Belgium, 2004), Montreal (Canada, 2005), Turin (Italy, 2006), Bogotá (Colombia, 2007), Amsterdam (Netherlands, 2008), Beirut (Lebanon, 2009), Ljubljana (Slovenia, 2010), Buenos Aires (Argentina, 2011), Yerevan (Armenia, 2012), Bangkok (Thailand, 2013), Port Harcourt (Nigeria, 2014), Incheon (Republic of Korea, 2015)