Rabat Celebrates a Year of Books
Morocco's capital is UNESCO's World Book Capital for 2026, with reading at the heart of its programme.
Estimated CEFR reading level: A2. Short factual paragraphs with mostly everyday vocabulary and simple explanations of a cultural programme. New words are explained below. This is an editorial estimate, not an official certification.
Five useful words
British English pronunciation (IPA). Audio uses an available English voice on your device.
capital /ˈkæpɪtəl/
nounThe main city where a country's government is based.
Rabat is the capital of Morocco.
celebrate /ˈselɪbreɪt/
verbTo do something special for an important event.
We celebrate the end of the course with a meal.
publisher /ˈpʌblɪʃə/
nounA person or company that prepares books for people to buy or read.
The publisher is making a new book for children.
literacy /ˈlɪtərəsi/
nounThe ability to read and write.
The classes help adults improve their literacy.
access /ˈækses/
nounThe chance or ability to use something.
The library gives everyone access to books.
The story
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is UNESCO's World Book Capital for 2026. UNESCO announced the choice on 8 October 2024. The year of activities was due to begin on 23 April 2026, World Book and Copyright Day.
The title celebrates reading. It does not mean Rabat is the capital of every country. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil held the title in 2025.
Rabat's programme aims to make books easier to access and support local publishers. It also aims to help people read and write. These are goals, not proof that every goal has been reached.
Libraries, bookshops and shared stories can bring people together. A town could celebrate books in many ways, such as a reading event or a place to share stories. The aim is to help more people enjoy reading and find books.
Two dates, two different meanings
- 8 October 2024UNESCO announces Rabat as World Book Capital for 2026.
- 23 April 2026The planned year of celebrations begins on World Book and Copyright Day.
A simple timeline based on UNESCO's announcement. The announcement date is different from the programme start date.
Three questions
Try answering before you open the answer. You can use your own words.
- In which country is Rabat?
Show answer
Rabat is in Morocco.
- When was the programme due to begin?
Show answer
On 23 April 2026, World Book and Copyright Day.
- Name one goal of Rabat's programme.
Show answer
To make books easier to access, support local publishers, or help more people read and write.
Let's talk about it
Here are some ideas for a chat. Choose any you like.
- Where do you like to read?
- What book would you enjoy sharing at a local celebration?
- Would a library, bookshop or book-sharing shelf be most useful near you?
- Would you enjoy hearing a story read aloud at a book festival?
- What would make a book event fun for someone who rarely reads?
Talking about aims
Use aims to followed by a verb: "The programme aims to help people read." This tells us the goal. Write a sentence about what a library or a school aims to do.
Sources and context
An original learning article by Poly-Puff, written from the factual sources below. Sources checked on 4 October 2026. The artwork and learning activities were created for this article.
