Each year Unesco awards a major city the title of World Book Capital, based on the best programme submitted by the competing candidates. The purpose is to bring literature to as many people as possible, and to encourage reading. In June 2008 Ljubljana was chosen from among seven competing cities at the Unesco headquarters in Paris to be the tenth holder of the title of World Book Capital, which it will bear from 23 April 2010 to 23 April 2011. Its programme consists of a host of original ideas to promote access to books, and to encourage literature, authors, books and reading. The basis of the programme is the involvement and connection of all links in the literary chain, from author to reader.

World Book Capital 2010 will undoubtedly be the most important event and the event most focused on a mass audience during the whole time that Ljubljana will hold the title. Events being held as part of the overall event include World Literature: Festival of the Fable 2010, and World Book Summit 2011: the Book as an Agent of Human Development, along with a whole spectrum of cultural events in Slovenia and in neighbouring regions. As World Book Capital, Ljubljana will promote the principles of freedom of expression, equality, education, the free circulation of information, and educational, scientific and cultural content, and inter-cultural dialogue as defined by Unesco, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Florence Agreement.

In deciding to issue the collector coins, the government has joined in with the promotion of books and Slovenian culture, as Ljubljana’s title as World Book Capital 2010 means that Slovenia and its capital will be able to raise their worldwide profiles as a country and city with a rich literary history, and as places of contemporary literary and cultural creativity. The coins feature the façade of Plečnik’s National and University Library, with its Ionic column in front of the window of the reading room. The outline of an open book, which develops from a scroll on one side, illustrates the historical development of the book.


Original design by: Matija Marinko, Ljubljana
Production and minting: Mint of Finland, Vantaa, Finland

Gold coin:

Nominal value: EUR 100

Weight: 7 g

Diameter: 24 mm

Purty: Au 900/1000

Issued: 4,000 coins

Silver coin:

Nominal value: EUR 30

Weight: 15 g

Diameter: 32 mm

Purty: Ag 925/1000

Issued: 6,000 coins

Collector bi-coloured coin:

Nominal value: EUR 3

Weight: 15 g

Diameter: 32 mm

Alloy: disc 75 Cu 25 Ni / ring 78 Cu 20 Zn 2 Ni

Issued: 300,000 coins