Rabat World Book Capital 2026 launches with UNESCO programme and major book fair

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom of Morocco is preparing to experience an exceptional cultural event, combining the official launch of the “Rabat World Book Capital 2026” program (starting April 24, 2026) with the 31st International Book Fair (SIEL), from May 1 to 10, 2026. The Moroccan capital thus confirms its status as a cultural crossroads and a global hub for culture and the knowledge industry.

Rabat World Book Capital 2026

Rabat’s designation as World Book Capital under UNESCO’s initiative crowns the city’s millennia-old history, its enduring commitment to culture and education, and the dynamism of its book sector. With over 54 publishing houses and a growing number of bookstores, Rabat is now a key driver of the democratization of knowledge.

The SIEL, a flagship event organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, is one of the most important book fairs on the African continent. It constitutes a major milestone in this grand annual celebration.
In collaboration with its national partners and UNESCO bodies, the Ministry oversees the implementation of a comprehensive annual program, comprising 342 activities organized around 12 themes. These initiatives aim to take books beyond their traditional settings, reaching out to citizens in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, orphanages, public squares, and on public transportation.

At the heart of this dynamic, the 31st edition of SIEL will present a vast cultural offering, with the participation of 890 exhibitors (320 direct and 570 indirect) from 60 countries, and more than 130,000 titles. France is this year’s guest of honor. This edition will also pay tribute to the 14th-century Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta, placing travel literature at the center of discussions.
The fair offers a rich cultural program, featuring more than 204 events and the participation of 720 thinkers and creators, who will address contemporary issues in reading as well as innovations in the cultural and creative industries.

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About World Book Capitals

Cities designated as World Book Capitals by UNESCO’s Directorate-General, based on a recommendation from an advisory committee, commit to promoting books and reading for all ages and groups, both within and beyond national borders, and to organizing a year-long program of activities.

The twenty-sixth city to hold this title since 2001, Rabat succeeds Madrid (2001), Alexandria (2002), New ⁷Delhi (2003), Antwerp (2004), Montreal (2005), Turin (2006), Bogota (2007), Amsterdam (2008), Beirut (2009), Ljubljana (2010), Buenos Aires (2011), Yerevan (2012), Bangkok (2013), Port Harcourt (2014), Incheon (2015), Wroclaw (2016), Conakry (2017), Athens (2018), Sharjah (2019), Kuala Lumpur (2020), Tbilisi (2021), Guadalajara (2022), Accra (2023), Strasbourg (2024), and Rio de Janeiro (2025).

The UNESCO World Book Capital Advisory Committee is composed of representatives from the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the International Authors Forum (IAF), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the International Publishers Association (IPA) and UNESCO.