Rabat's Ambitious Agenda for Promoting Reading in 2026
Starting from April 24, 2026, Rabat will proudly hold the title of World Capital of Book, a designation bestowed by UNESCO, which reflects the city’s rich historical, cultural, and cognitive heritage associated with literature and knowledge dissemination. Throughout the year, Rabat will offer an extensive program featuring 342 diverse activities aimed at nurturing the love for reading among its citizens and energizing the cultural industry. This initiative is not merely a celebration of books, but a comprehensive strategy to engage the community in various forms of literary expression and cultural interaction.
Latifa Moftaqir, the program commissioner, emphasized the importance of placing human experience at the heart of cultural activities, stating that the program will facilitate interactions with cultural products as a means of promoting human development. The activities will unfold across twelve strategic axes, including open events dedicated to reading, literary cafés, public awareness campaigns about the significance of reading, exhibitions, mobile library initiatives, literary residencies, professional conferences for those in the book industry, and various training sessions and workshops designed to enhance literary engagement.
Rabat's Cultural Significance and Engagement
The selection of Rabat as the World Capital of Book is a testament to its long-standing relationship with the literary world, as evidenced by its historic mosques and libraries that embody a vibrant cultural tradition. The city’s modern educational institutions, cultural centers, and a dynamic civil society fabric further enrich its literary landscape. Rabat is home to a significant concentration of publishers, bookstores, and academic institutions, highlighting its commitment to literacy, education, and the empowerment of women and youth. Additionally, the city’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012 underscores its rich cultural heritage.
The organization and execution of the planned activities will involve collaboration between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Wilaya of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, local government, and a multitude of national institutions. Influential organizations such as UNESCO and ICESCO, along with various international bodies and civil society associations, will also participate. This collaborative effort aims to ensure a diverse array of programming throughout the year, drawing literature out of its traditional confines and bringing it directly to citizens in various everyday settings, including hospitals, youth centers, orphanages, public squares, and transportation hubs.
Rabat will succeed Rio de Janeiro as the World Capital of Book in 2025, reinforcing its position as a cultural crossroads that fosters knowledge exchange and artistic collaboration. The local book industry’s growth is pivotal in advancing educational goals aligned with UNESCO’s objectives, supported by the presence of 54 publishing houses and a burgeoning number of bookstores.
As reported by mobile.telquel.ma.
