Books tell more than stories. They are a source of creativity and learning. Medellín has become an international reference for urban and cultural transformation, where books and libraries play a crucial role in bringing positive social change. The designation of Medellín as World Book Capital 2027 is a powerful message on how culture can build peace and social cohesion.
Khaled El-EnanyUNESCO Director-General
As Colombia's second-largest city, Medellín is home to over 110 bookstores and 25 libraries, many of which were transformed from former prisons and police facilities. Once affected by prolonged periods of conflict, the city is now internationally known for urban and cultural innovation, where books and libraries serve as essential sanctuaries and spaces for resistance. Today, Medellín embodies the power of culture in peace and reconciliation.
UNESCO and the World Book Capital Advisory Committee have recognized Medellín for its strong commitment to cultural mobilization and demonstrated capacity to host major cultural initiatives. UNESCO's World Book Capitals are committed to promoting books and reading for all, and to advancing the values of dialogue, creativity, education and cultural diversity, with particular attention to young people and vulnerable communities. It also reaffirms the vital role of books as catalysts for more inclusive, equitable and peaceful societies.
The initiative is part of UNESCO's broader efforts to strengthen reading ecosystems and literacy worldwide. For example, the 'Centroamérica Lectora' project, funded by AECID from 2020-2023, helped expand access to books and reading in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, as well as strengthening their publishing ecosystems. In Ethiopia, another project funded through the IFCD is currently focusing on enhancing the growth of children's and youth's literature.
As the twenty-seventh city to bear the title since 2001, Medellín will host a series of activities to strengthen the city's public policy on reading, writing and storytelling. The year of celebrations will start on 23 April 2027, World Book and Copyright Day.
About the world book capitals
Cities designated as UNESCO World Book Capital undertake to promote books and reading for all ages and groups, within and across national borders, and to organize a programme of activities for the year.
As the twenty-seventh city to bear the title since 2001, Medellín follows Madrid (2001), Alexandria (2002), New Delhi (2003), Antwerp (2004), Montreal (2005), Turin (2006), Bogota (2007), Amsterdam (2008), Beirut (2009), Ljubljana (2010), Buenos Aires (2011), Erevan (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), Rio de Janeiro (2025) and Rabat (2026).
About the World Book Capital Advisory Committee
The UNESCO World Book Capital Advisory Committee comprises 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.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
