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Rabat Named World Book Capital for 2026

The logo of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seen in front of its headquarters in Paris, France, October 4, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
The logo of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seen in front of its headquarters in Paris, France, October 4, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
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Rabat Named World Book Capital for 2026

The logo of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seen in front of its headquarters in Paris, France, October 4, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
The logo of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seen in front of its headquarters in Paris, France, October 4, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated Rabat as the World Book Capital for 2026, following a recommendation from the World Book Capital Advisory Committee.

In a recent statement, UNESCO highlighted the Moroccan capital's commitment to fostering the book industry and encouraging reading through its 54 publishing houses; it also hosts Africa's third-largest international book fair.

Rabat aims to come up with various initiatives to improve access to books, bolster the local publishing sector, and advance literacy among all age groups and demographics, both nationally and internationally.

The statement added that the celebrations are set to commence on April 23, 2026, coinciding with the World Book and Copyright Day.

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Saudi Woman Creates Arabic Learning Game

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi Woman Creates Arabic Learning Game

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Driven by her passion for the Arabic language, Lujain Abulfaraj embarked on a mission to make it more engaging for children. Witnessing her son's disinterest in Arabic, she took it upon herself to come up with a solution, SPA reported.
In 2015, Abulfaraj enrolled in a design program dedicated to exploring the beauty of Arabic calligraphy and its potential as an educational tool. Realizing its capacity to be both entertaining and instructive, she created a game featuring large Arabic letters that could be arranged into words and used for play.
This endeavor led her to establish a venture aimed at enriching language learning for children. In 2020, she introduced "Akwan" (universes in Arabic), a set of magnetic bricks inspired by Arabic calligraphy designed to make learning interactive and enjoyable for children.
During the Riyadh International Book Fair, Abulfaraj, speaking to an SPA reporter, highlighted the boundless creative possibilities that "Akwan" offers children. She commended the Ministry of Culture for its efforts in revitalizing Saudi culture, particularly the language, and for supporting young talent in the country.
Acknowledging her dedication, the Ministry of Culture nominated Abulfaraj for the 2023 Cultural Awards in architecture and design, where she emerged as one of the top three finalists in the Kingdom. Her work also received the "Designed in Saudi" seal.