Don Quijote reading marathon

Badajoz will open its 2026 Semana del Libro with a public reading marathon of *Don Quijote* on April 23 at the Museo de la Ciudad Luis de Morales. (aytobadajoz.es) (lacronicabadajoz.com) The city’s Culture Department scheduled the book week from April 23 to April 26, 2026, with all events centered at the museum and aimed at schoolchildren, families and the general public. Culture councillor José Antonio Casablanca said the program is focused “especially” on younger readers. (lacronicabadajoz.com) (regiondigital.com) The *Quijote* event is the 19th edition of the city’s reading marathon and is set to run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 23. Schools including Santo Ángel, Arias Montano, Sagrada Familia, Salesiano Ramón Izquierdo, Puerta Palma and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad are expected to take part alongside other attendees. (lacronicabadajoz.com) (regiondigital.com) The date ties the local program directly to World Book and Copyright Day, which UNESCO marks every year on April 23. UNESCO says the annual observance is meant to recognize books as a bridge between generations and cultures. (unesco.org) Badajoz’s program uses that date to stretch a one-day celebration into four days of events built around reading, storytelling and family activities. Casablanca said the city expanded the schedule as part of its push to promote reading from the earliest ages. (regiondigital.com) (lacronicabadajoz.com) The next day, April 24, the museum’s cloister will host “El cuento entre canciones” at 8 p.m., with publisher Aristas Martínez organizing a reading mixed with live music. Rui Díaz will perform on voice and guitar, and Mercedes Trigo will accompany on cello. (lacronicabadajoz.com) (regiondigital.com) On April 25, Kids&Us Badajoz will run a “World Book Day 2026” session in English from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with sensory storytelling and collaborative games for children and families. Organizers said that event requires advance registration until capacity is reached. (lacronicabadajoz.com) (regiondigital.com) The week closes on April 26 with “El tiempo en sus manos,” a family card game about the history of Badajoz designed by the Asociación Amigos de Badajoz with the Gran Orden de Defensa de la ciudad. The city’s municipal library network is also running parallel book-related activities at Santa Ana and 12 branch centers in the city and surrounding districts. (regiondigital.com) The through line is public reading: Cervantes in the morning, songs and stories the next night, then children’s activities and local history over the weekend. In Badajoz, World Book Day arrives this year as a four-day program built around getting people to read together. (aytobadajoz.es) (unesco.org)