Istanbul has aspired to the '2001 World Book Capital' event, which has been selected by UNESCO since 2024. Welcoming the President of the World Libraries Association, Barbara Lison, at the Atatürk Library in Beyoğlu, the President of the İBB Ekrem İmamoğlu“In 2024, I will share with the President his journey and intention to make Istanbul known as a capital city.” Defining Istanbul as a city that connects the old book culture and digital development, Lison said, “I am very happy that you expressed your intention to become the book capital of the world. Of course you will have competition. Especially with your support, Istanbul will present a very important competition in this field.”
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) President Ekrem İmamoğluinformed Barbara Lison, President of the World Libraries Association, that the city aspires to be the “2024 World Book Capital”. Welcoming Lison and his accompanying delegation at the İBB Atatürk Library, one of the city's symbolic places, İmamoğlu drew attention to the importance of books and libraries in meeting people with knowledge.
İMAMOĞLU: “BOOK-FRIENDLY ISTANBUL CAN ACHIEVE THIS”
"In this sense, we are taking very serious and good steps in Istanbul," said İmamoğlu. Regarding this infrastructure, I will share with the President his journey and intention to ensure that Istanbul is remembered as a capital city in 2024, which I believe will cheer us up a lot. I will convey to them that we are ready for this, that book-friendly Istanbul can achieve this in the best way, and I will express that we are ready for all kinds of investments. As a book friend, I will share with them that we can have the most beautiful event in the world, the book festival, in Istanbul.”
LISON: “İSTANBUL WILL BE ONE OF THE GAME FOUNDERS”
Emphasizing that knowledge is always about books, Lison said, “Because knowledge lies in books. Of course, there is also a digital development. This development must be interconnected. I think that Istanbul is a city that connects the old book culture and digital development. I am very happy that you expressed your intention to become the book capital of the world. Turkey is a very important playmaker in this field. World book capitals, advanced playmaker cities in this field. Istanbul will be one of them. Of course you will have competition. But competition is always good. Especially with your support, Istanbul will present a very important competition in this field.”
SELECTED SINCE 2001
The concept of “World Book Capital” means that since the 1990s, every city chosen by the “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization” (UNESCO) has become a worldwide book capital and hosts various organizations. UNESCO chose Madrid as its capital city in 1996, following the success of the “World Book and Copyright Day” launched in 2001. After this date, the UNESCO General Conference made the event traditional and declared a city as the "World Book Capital" every year. UNESCO, to ensure that the three main branches of the book industry participate in the decision; He invited "International Publishers Association", "International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions" and "International Federation of Booksellers" to participate in the nomination process. The event, which does not include any financial rewards, mostly accepts the best programs deemed worthy of books and reading.
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