Every year, UNESCO convenes delegates from the International Publishers Association and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to grant the title of World Book Capital to one city.
The city may hold the title for one designated year, from 23 April (UNESCO World Book Day) until 22 April of the following year. During that year it undertakes to organise and run a large number of events around books, literature and reading. The programme brings together the local and national book industries and puts books and book culture into the public eye. It attracts sponsorship and extra funding for book related institutions. The programme raises awareness for literacy and reading issues, libraries and books shops and highlights the overall benefits of a lively book culture. The title is also used to promote tourism and draw national and international attention to the literary heritage of a city and nation.
To submit a nomination to be the 2022 World Book Capital City consult the letter below and complete the application form in either English or French:
2022 call for applications [PDF] (French Version)
Application Form [PDF] (French Version)
Member States of UNESCO by region [PDF] (French Version)
Sharjah is the current World Book Capital City and will be handing over to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April. Tbilisi, Georgia has been confirmed as the 2021 World Book Capital City.
More information on IPA’s website here.