The institutional campaign "Your next book is within your reach" is now open

2026/04/28

The Madrid City Council yesterday presented the institutional campaign "Your Next Book Is Within Reach" in Matute Square, an initiative that will transform the capital's streets into a literary showcase for almost two months. From April 27 to June 14, 26 book banks will be located in public spaces across eight districts (Centro, Retiro, Chamberí, Salamanca, Chamartín, Tetuán, Fuencarral-El Pardo, and Moncloa-Aravaca), inviting Madrid residents to stop, discover great works of literature, and visit their local bookstores. The presentation was presided over by the Delegate for Economy, Innovation, and Finance, Engracia Hidalgo, and the Delegate for Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Marta Rivera de la Cruz, along with the Councilor for the Centro District, Carlos Segura.

Each bench functions as a digital gateway to local businesses: through QR codes, users can locate the nearest bookstores or follow the route connecting the 26 points of the campaign via the Todo Está en Madrid (Everything Is in Madrid) platform. The main bench, located in the Literary Quarter, pays homage to Isabel Allende and her novel, La palabra mágica (The Magic Word). After the event, the group visited the historic Desnivel bookstore in Plaza de Matute, a landmark of specialized retail with uninterrupted activity since 1898.

The campaign is part of Madrid's Comprehensive Strategy for Strengthening the Retail and Hospitality Sector 2025-2027, which allocates €15.3 million to the retail sector. Madrid accounts for 38.8% of book sales in Spain and has a network of 504 bookstores and newspaper shops spread across the city's 21 districts.

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