Amsterdam named World Book Capital 2008 by UN cultural agency
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has been chosen as the 2008 World Book Capital, in the eighth annual literary-geographical competition sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) along with the three main international organizations representing the book industry.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has been chosen as the 2008 World Book Capital, in the eighth annual literary-geographical competition sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) along with the three main international organizations representing the book industry.
According to the judges, Amsterdam was selected because of the quality and diversity of its book promotion programme, its international character and the involvement of local, national and international participants, both public and private, in the book sector.
In its presentation for the competition, the City of Amsterdam described some 30 initiatives concerning copyright issues, scientific publication, intercultural aspects of literary creation and children’s books, the opening of new libraries and cultural centres and special events such as a costume parade on the theme of heroes in literature for young people.
Previous winners of the competition have included Madrid (2001), Alexandria (2002), New Delhi (2003), Antwerp (2004), Montreal (2005), Turin (2006) and Bogotá (2007).