WANDERLUST NEWS
Rio de Janeiro is now the UNESCO World Book Capital – here’s how to celebrate in the city Rio de Janeiro is now the UNESCO World Book Capital – here’s how to celebrate in the city
Rio de Janeiro has been all over the headlines in recent days thanks to Lady Gaga’s record-breaking concert, with more than 2 million people attending the free show on Copacabana beach.
But Mother Monster isn’t the only reason to visit this year, as the Brazilian city has just become UNESCO’s World Book Capital for 2025.
Between now and 23 April 2026, when Rabat in Morocco takes on the mantle, Rio will host numerous events to celebrate the designation, which was given to a Portuguese-speaking city for the first time.
The designation recognises the city’s appreciation of its literary heritage, and its plan to promote literature, sustainable publishing and reading among its citizens, particularly its youth.
At the time of the announcement in 2023, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, “Books are vital vehicles to access, transmit and promote education, science, culture and information worldwide. Thanks to books, we keep ourselves informed, entertained and are able to better understand our world. This is why, each year UNESCO designates a World Book Capital.”
While the full schedule of events is yet to be released (watch this space!), one of the main attractions will be the 2025 Book Biennial.
Taking place between 13-22 June at Riocentro, there will be more than 500 exhibitors selling books, as well as a programme of talks and workshops plus activities for kids. The book biennial is also home to a themed Ferris wheel, with characters and audio from classic books in the cabins, plus an escape room for those who enjoy thrillers.
Aside from events, you can celebrate Rio de Janeiro’s new status by learning more about its literary history. The National Library, the largest in Latin America, offers free tours in English twice a day on weekdays, but you can also visit outside of these hours by yourself.
Another highlight in Rio is the Royal Portuguese Reading Room, home to more than 400,000 books and manuscripts, which is also open to the public for free.
And if you are working on your own literary masterpiece, you can follow in the footsteps of the greats with a visit to Confeitaria Colombo, once a gathering place for novelists.
More information: visitbrasil.com
