Strasbourg becomes the World Book Capital for one year

Elected officials, writers and artists began the events organized as part of the year “Strasbourg, the world capital of the book”, a UNESCO designation awarded for the first time to a French city.

“From today and for a year, Strasbourg celebrates books and promotes access to reading in all its forms,” through more than 1,000 events, Mayor Jeanne Barseghian said during the opening ceremony.

“This recognition is deeply rooted in the history of our city: at the crossroads of paths and ideas since the Middle Ages, the cradle of the printed book, which Gutenberg chose to develop his invention, the history of Strasbourg merges with that of the book” , she added.

She also paid tribute to Maryse Condé, “magnificent storyteller”an author from Guadeloupe who died at the beginning of the month, and who was supposed to be one of the godmothers of the event. “While war rumbles across our continent, while intolerance and fear colonize the conscience, the book is a precious ally for writers, I tell you: we need you.” she concluded.

Numerous authors took part in the reading podium, including the Portuguese Lidia Jorge, the French-Algerian Kamel Daoud and the Ukrainian Andreï Kourkov. The ceremony will be followed by meetings with writers, including Albert Manguel, patron of the event, Boualem Sansal and Krikor Beledian, before other readings, including one about music, at Strasbourg Cathedral to close the inauguration day.

After Strasbourg, Rio de Janeiro

Festivities will continue throughout the week with the inauguration of an exhibition dedicated to Julie Doucet, comic book author and winner of the main prize at the 2022 Angoulême Festival on Wednesday, April 24, followed on Thursday by the Festival of Independent Bookstores and events in the 150th place over the weekend.

Highlights of the event include Illustration Encounters, an audiobook and podcast festival, and the installation of the Academy of Writers for Human Rights, which will host workshops and roundtables in the city.

World book capitals have been declared every year since 2001 by UNESCO to promote books and reading. After Strasbourg, the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will host the event in 2025.