ACADEMY OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO: Foundation of the House of Book Worlds in Rabat
As part of the Royal vision that places culture at the heart of the Kingdom’s development, the Foundation of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco for Culture and Cooperation is establishing the House of Book Worlds in Rabat.
This project follows UNESCO’s designation of Rabat as the 2026 World Book Capital and is based on a sustainable vision: It aims to establish a permanent venue dedicated to books, languages, and narratives and will serve as a major institution to promote intellectual life, intercultural dialogue, and outreach. The Foundation of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco will thus contribute to firmly embed the book within Morocco’s cultural landscape
International experience has shown that the most fruitful projects are not those that multiply events, but those that create lasting places. From the Villa Medici, founded in the 17th century, to the Casa de Velázquez, and more recent initiatives, such as Villa Kujoyama or Villa Albertine, a constant pattern emerges: offering time and space for creators and artists is one of the most powerful acts of cultural policy. These institutions have not merely hosted artists and creative individuals; they have shaped generations, produced enduring works, and positioned their host cities within a global geography of creativity.
Inspired by major institutions, while asserting its own distinct and original vocation, the World of Books House in Rabat is dedicated to narratives, languages, and ideas. It is a response to identity-generated tensions and contemporary transformations of imaginative systems. It offers a paradigm shift: moving from a logic of promoting a From single culture to one of co-creating narratives. Based on cooperation, translation, creation, and the transmission of works, its ambition is to foster dialogue between languages, narratives, and imaginative systems. Its formal opening is scheduled for October 2026.
Located in Rabat, a historic crossroads of civilizations, it aspires to have an international scope, welcoming writers, artists, and researchers, and encouraging multilingual and interdisciplinary exchanges. In this perspective, it follows the tradition of renowned residencies, offering an expanded model that integrates creation, translation, publishing, recognition, and dissemination of works aimed at both national and global audiences.
The World of Books House in Rabat aims to become an essential space where cultures no longer simply coexist, but meet, translate, and mutually enrich one another. Led by the Foundation of the Academy for Culture and International Cooperation, this project affirms Rabat’s role as an international platform for knowledge and evolving worlds of imagination.
From Rabat, Africa contributes to writing the world’s narratives
