World Book Capitals

"...Literacy is crucial to the acquisition, by every child, youth, and adult, of essential life skills that enable them to address the challenges they can face in life".

United Nations Resolution on Literacy Decade 56/116

The International Publishers Association (IPA) is an international industry federation representing all aspects of book and journal publishing. Established in 1896, IPA's mission is to promote and protect publishing and to raise awareness for publishing as a force for economic, cultural and political development. Around the world IPA actively fights against censorship and promotes copyright, literacy and freedom to publish. IPA is an industry association with a human rights mandate.

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World Book Capitals

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The Nominated WBCs

An agreement was concluded among the partners that, after Madrid (Spain) in 2001, the subsequent world book capitals would be Alexandria (Egypt) in 2002 and New Delhi (India) in 2003. Then, following public calls for candidatures, the Selection Committee meeting once a year at UNESCO Headquarters successively nominated the following cities as World Book Capital: 2004: Antwerp (Belgium); 2005: Montreal (Canada); 2006: Turin (Italy); 2007: Bogotá (Colombia); 2008: Amsterdam (The Netherlands); 2009: Beirut (Lebanon); 2010: Ljubljana (Slovenia); 2011: Buenos Aires (Argentina); 2012: Yerevan (Armenia).

2011 - Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires was nominated as World Book Capital 2011 on the account of the consolidated strategy underpinning the programme, as well as of the quality and variety of its candidature file.

2010 - Ljubljana - Ljubljana was selected for the quality of its application as well as for its diverse and complete programme, widely and enthusiastically supported by all players involved in the book industry (publishers, bookstores and libraries).

2009 - Beirut - Beirut was elected thanks to its focus on cultural diversity, dialogue and tolerance, and thanks to its diverse and stimulating programme.

2008 - Amsterdam – According to the selection Committee’s, Amsterdam was elected because of the quality, variety and international aspect of its programme. The focus on freedom of expression was appreciated too.

2007 - Bogotá - The programme that enabled the Colombian capital city to conquer the title includes many creative activities for the promotion of reading, associating all local public and private stakeholders in the book sector.

2006 - Turin - The story of World Book Capitals saw an innovation when Turin came up with a programme in collaboration with a second city. In this case Rome created a programme of international book promotion as a back-up to Turin's which is already highly varied and professional.

2005 - Montreal - The programme that enabled Montreal to carry off the title of World Book Capital for 2005 features broad international coverage and comprises a whole series of subject areas worked out with the cooperation and commitment of all the actors in the city's book chain.

2004 - Antwerp - Thanks to its programme covering such an immense range of subjects (promotion, sales, services, youth, book professions, cultural diversity and urban cultural minorities), Antwerp obtained the title of World Book Capital for 2004.

2003 - New Delhi - On its nomination as World Book Capital City in 2003 this city, which is home to the largest number of publishers in India, launched a programme to promote publishing linked to all professional associations and political and social actors concerned with books, including government services.

2002 - Alexandria - In 2002 the great Egyptian city reopened its library of ancient renown and presented the new library which is a major project of our day.

2001 - Madrid - The Spanish capital took the initiative of creating this title and its first manifestations such as the book mountain around the Puerta de Alcalá.

© 2011 INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION