UNESCO Cities of Literature Barcelona and Melbourne have partnered on the inaugural Mirror Cities, a virtual exchange initiative that will connect librarians, booksellers and literary programmers from the two Cities.
Happening on 2–4 June 2026, the program will foster meaningful, professional relationships between equivalent literary organisations through structured online sessions hosted by industry professionals.
The exchange will include three, structured, two-hour virtual sessions (8pm AEST Melbourne time and 12pm CET Barcelona time), each focusing on a specific literary sector: bookshops, libraries, and literary programming.
- The first ‘Bookshops’ session will run on 2 June 2026. Independent booksellers, book buyers, and retail professionals from Barcelona and Melbourne will discuss shared challenges and innovative practices in book retail, community engagement, author events, and sustainable business models.
- The second ‘Libraries’ session will run on 3 June 2026. Librarians and library professionals from both cities will explore programming strategies, collection development, community outreach, digital literacy initiatives, and the evolving role of libraries in contemporary society.
- The third and final ‘Literary Programming’ session will run on 4 June 2026. Festival directors, literary event organisers, and cultural programmers from Barcelona and Melbourne will share insights on audience development, artist collaboration, funding strategies, accessibility, and creating impactful literary experiences.
Mirror Cities is a free program, with limited spaces.
Full details and how to apply can be found here https://cityofliterature.com.au/about/opportunities-city-literature-office/mirror-cities/