Athens Now a Reader’s Delight as World Book Capital 2018

Photo Source: @This is Athens

For one whole year Athens sets the example and invites its residents and visitors to grab a book as this year’s World Book Capital.

The President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos. Photo Source: @Municipality of Athens

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis inaugurated the year-long series of book-related events and happenings on Monday, during a special ceremony held at the Acropolis Museum, which was followed by concerts, poetry and literature readings along the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian walkway at the foot of the Acropolis.

Pavlopoulos underlined the importance of Athens being selected by UNESCO for the global initiative promoting reading, adding that historically Athens deserves the honor.

“Athens steps in as host of the UNESCO initiative; an initiative that highlights the importance of books in inter-cultural communication,” said Pavlopoulos.

The official inauguration of Athens as a World Book Capital for 2018 took place at the Acropolis Museum. Photo Source: @Municipality of Athens

With slogans such as “Athens Celebrates, The City Reads” and “Books Everywhere”, the Athens World Book Capital events aim to reach out to all city-dwellers and visitors in efforts to inspire and motivate with over 250 book-related events across town including reading happenings, seminars and conferences, workshops and competitions, activities for adults and kids.

Events will include book readings in unexpected locations for passers-by and round-table discussions with beloved Greek and foreign authors.