The Polish city of Wroclaw became the UNESCO World Book Capital on Saturday, the World Book and Copyright Day.

Over the next 12 months, the city will host about 1,650 literary events to promote books and reading.

The opening weekend, entitled "Read to me, Wroclaw", will last till Sunday and is filled with cultural events, such as author meetings, performances and concerts.

The beginning of the term as a UNESCO World Book Capital is at the same time one of the European Capital of Culture Wroclaw 2016 events.

"Despite the fact that the city begins the prestigious term today, we've been presenting in the most important literary expositions and events as both the European Capital of Culture and the UNESCO World Book Capital," said Irek Grin, ECoC Wroclaw 2016 literary curator.

"During those events we've presented 123 authors to over 100,000 book lovers in Poland, in Europe and around the world," he added.

The weekend marks the beginning of the whole year of book in Wroclaw. A total of four programs and 48 projects, comprising about 1,650 literary events, will take place from today until the last day of the event -- April 22, 2017.

Saturday is also the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. To mark the day, Wroclaw hosts the European Literature Night. During this event, excerpts from Shakespeare's most famous works will be read in various places around Wroclaw city centre.

The idea of the World Capital of Book was derived from the World Book and Copyright Day, which was first held on April 23, 1995. The title is bestowed by UNESCO to a city in recognition of the quality of its programs to promote books and reading and the dedication of all players in the book industry.

It was first awarded in 2001 to Madrid, Spain. Wroclaw was the first Polish city to receive this prestigious title.

Source: XINHUA