There’s one factor that hundreds of thousands of us couldn’t presumably head on an journey with out. While we’re all for stuffing the likes of travel pillows and the newest array of travel-friendly devices into our hand luggage, there’s one factor that sends us on a manic dash across the airport terminal retailers if we put out of your mind it – a e-book.
The vacation learn has an extended historical past, and for many people, the tempo of contemporary life means the one time we actually get caught into the newest novel, doing the workplace rounds, is whereas unfold out on a sunlounger or sipping espresso in a plaza earlier than heading to the following attraction on our lists.
Now, nonetheless, with the rise of BookTok, digital detoxes and a need for true escapism on our adventures, we’re more and more how books affect our alternative of destination.
This may very well be the bookworm equal of jetsetting, maybe – in search of out the locations we’re taken to whereas flicking the pages. Or, within the case of UNESCO’s World Book Capitals, making a beeline for cities devoted to fostering literacy, lifelong studying, copyright safety and freedom of expression.
Since 2021, UNESCO has designated one metropolis all over the world, every year, as its World Book Capital. Which metropolis claims the title is the choice of the UNESCO World Book Capital Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the International Authors Forum (IAF), the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), the International Publishers Association (IPA), and UNESCO.
So, the place are bibliophiles headed in 2026? None apart from the Moroccan metropolis of Rabat. It seems the North African nation’s all-too-often missed metropolis is sort of the book-lover’s haven, and all year long, the newly designated UNESCO World Book Capital will implement a variety of actions to reinforce the position of books in sustainable and inclusive improvement.
UNESCO stories that town homes 54 publishing homes and a rising variety of bookstores, and hosts the third-largest worldwide e-book and publishing truthful in Africa. Rabat has additionally been credited with empowering native ladies and youth by studying and combating illiteracy, particularly amongst underserved communities.
A 12 months of celebrations throughout town begins on 23 April 2026, on World Book and Copyright Day.
The Moroccan city’s declare to this 12 months’s UNESCO World Book Capital follows the likes of Rio de Janeiro in 2025, Strasbourg in 2024 and Accra in 2023. Other earlier titleholders embrace Guadalajara in Mexico, Tbilisi in Georgia and the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana.
Following the announcement in autumn 2025, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated, “Following Rio de Janeiro in 2025, I am pleased to announce the designation of Rabat as World Book Capital for 2026. Rabat is a cultural crossroads where books help transmit knowledge and the arts in all their diversity. The growing local book industry is also playing a crucial role in advancing education. These actions resonate with UNESCO’s mandate.”