Medellín, chosen by UNESCO as the World Book Capital 2027

The Colombian city of Medellín has been chosen as the World Book Capital 2027 by Unesco. This was announced by President Gustavo Petro, who published the letter received from the Director-General of the UN agency, Khaled El-Enany.

"An intelligent and cultural Medellín is advancing. Books save and make us think about freedoms," Petro wrote on X.

In the nomination document, Unesco highlights the cultural infrastructure of Medellín, which includes 25 libraries and over 110 bookstores, thanks to a 542% increase recorded in recent decades.

This evolution has helped strengthen the city's image as an international reference for urban and cultural innovation.

Unesco also emphasizes how many libraries and cultural spaces have emerged from the conversion of former prisons and police stations into reading and community meeting centers, a model that has reinforced social inclusion, reconciliation, and access to culture.

Mayor Federico Gutiérrez described the nomination as "a recognition that fills us with pride and puts Medellín in the eyes of the world", adding that it will be "a great opportunity to showcase the work done around reading and cultural transformation".

Medellín takes over from Rio de Janeiro, which was awarded the title last year.