Morocco Launches Rabat World Book Capital 2026 Program

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 26, 2026

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Morocco has officially launched the “Rabat World Book Capital 2026” program, with an opening ceremony held at Mohammed V National Theatre in the Moroccan capital.

The launch marks the start of a year-long cultural program dedicated to books, reading, publishing, and access to knowledge.

UNESCO named Rabat World Book Capital for 2026 in October 2024. The year of celebrations officially begins on April 23, 2026, coinciding with World Book and Copyright Day.

According to announced program details, Rabat’s World Book Capital year will include 342 cultural activities across different venues, with events designed to promote reading and support the book and publishing sector.

The program is expected to include exhibitions, literary meetings, public reading activities, and cultural events targeting different groups of the public.

Rabat succeeds Rio de Janeiro as World Book Capital, placing the Moroccan capital in an international cultural spotlight for the coming year. UNESCO’s World Book Capital initiative is awarded annually to a city committed to promoting books and reading across society.

The event also comes as Rabat prepares to host the 31st International Publishing and Book Fair from May 1 to 10, 2026, adding further cultural weight to the city’s calendar this year.

For Morocco, the launch gives Rabat a major platform to highlight its cultural institutions, publishing sector, and role as a regional center for books and knowledge.