World Book Capital

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World Book Capital
UNESCO Programme
Book Tower of Babel from Buenos Aires World Book Capital
Awarded for	Recognition for promoting books and fostering reading
First awarded	Madrid, Spain 2001
Last awarded	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2025
Currently held by	Strasbourg, France 2024
Website	UNESCO World Book Capital

The World Book Capital (WBC) is an initiative of UNESCO which recognises cities for promoting books and fostering reading for a year starting on April 23, World Book and Copyright Day. Cities designated as UNESCO World Book Capital carry out activities with the aim of encouraging a culture of reading in all ages and sharing UNESCO's values. The nomination does not provide a financial prize.^[1]

UNESCO adopted the 31c/Resolution 29, in 2001, establishing the World Book Capital programme and naming Madrid as the first WBC city in 2001. The advisory committee is composed of UNESCO, the International Publishers Association, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the International Authors Forum and the International Booksellers Federation.^[1]