More Than 700 Exhibitors Gather in Rabat for 30th SIEL
Rabat – Rabat is about to turn the page on daily routine as it prepares to host one of the most anticipated literary gatherings in the region.
From April 18 to 27, the city welcomes the 30th International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL), drawing writers, publishers, and thinkers from across the globe.
This landmark edition brings an impressive 775 exhibitors representing 51 countries, each adding their own story to a shared love of words, ideas, and imagination.
With more than 100,000 titles on display, the fair promises bibliophiles more than just volume. Its scale is matched by the diversity of its programming, with 311 direct and 464 indirect exhibitors offering everything from philosophy to poetry, history to sci-fi. Every corner of the literary world finds a voice in Rabat this spring.
Announced during a press conference in Rabat, the fair's schedule features a daily average of 26 events. More than 760 speakers will participate in discussions, book presentations, poetry readings, and panels. Moroccan and international voices alike will engage with readers throughout the ten-day event.
The fair, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication in collaboration with the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region and the city of Rabat, is part of a rising attempt to portray Rabat as a cultural epicenter.
The city's anticipated status as UNESCO's World Book Capital in 2026 lends even more weight to the fair's importance this year.
One of the central themes this edition embraces is memory. The program pays tribute to cultural figures whose work left a lasting imprint on Moroccan heritage.
Writers, scholars, and artists who shaped the country's cultural identity will receive special recognition, while the fair also honors voices from the broader Arab world through a collaboration with ALECSO. The Ibn Battouta Prize for travel literature and the National Reading Prize will both be awarded during the event.
This year's expo features Sharjah as the guest of honor. The Emirate's participation reflects its rising importance as a cultural center in the Arab world. Emirati publishers will join roundtables with Moroccan counterparts, while heritage performances, children's workshops, and Arabic calligraphy sessions will offer visitors a more intimate view of the region's creative pulse.
Morocco's Minister of Culture, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, described Sharjah's selection as guest of honor as a natural choice, pointing to the Emirate's consistent support for Arab cultural collaboration. He also stressed the need to maintain strong bonds between Morocco and its diaspora, calling the fair an opportunity to celebrate those connections.
SIEL also turns its attention to the Moroccan diaspora. Four influential figures who shaped Moroccan life abroad will receive tributes. These include Amazigh scholar Abdellah Bounfour, the late playwright and museologist Ahmed Ghazali, pioneering journalist Amina Benhachem Alaoui, and the late novelist Driss Chraïbi.
The diaspora segment reaches beyond tributes. A poetry evening will gather Moroccan voices reading in Arabic, Amazigh, French, English, Spanish, and Italian. Ten landmark Moroccan films dealing with migration will be screened as part of a retrospective.
The fair also reserves a prominent space for young readers. A total of 712 activities are planned for children and students, including 660 educational workshops held in specially designed areas. A section devoted to the world of comics will display a print collection inspired by The Smurfs, giving younger visitors a playful entry point into the wonderland of storytelling.
Books have long held a cherished place in Moroccan life, from the ancient libraries of Fez to handwritten manuscripts passed down through generations. Today, that enduring tradition finds fresh momentum through SIEL, where the written word reclaims its place at the heart of public conversation, creativity, and cultural exchange. Tags: Book fairBooksmorocco book fairMorocco literatureSIEL 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Diaspo #392 : Maysoun Bouga celebrates Amazigh and First Nations Australian cultures
Born in Casablanca to an Amazigh family from the Souss region, Maysoun Bouga still treasures the priceless moments of her childhood spent with her grandparents. They spoke Tachelhit—she didn't—but she listened carefully, absorbing the stories they shared in the language of their ancestors. Today, those very stories have resurfaced in her life through her research and creative projects. Now based in Byron Bay, a coastal town in southeastern Australia, Maysoun is on a mission to rediscover Moroccan folktales. She does so to honor her culture, reconnect with her grandparents' legacy, and finally learn Tachelhit—a language she has always longed to speak. «I grew up in Morocco with a deep connection to my family, especially my grandparents», she told Yabiladi. «My mom speaks Amazigh, and I was lucky to grow up hearing her converse with her sisters and to listen to stories from my grandma and granddad, who lived with us». Applied theater to experience, learn and evolve But Maysoun's love for these stories only grew stronger after she settled in Australia. It was while practicing Applied Theater—a discipline that uses theatrical practices for education and community development—that this passion took shape. After graduating high school in Morocco, Maysoun moved to Australia to study psychology and anthropology. She also developed an interest in human resources. That combination of interests ultimately led her to Applied Theater, which, she found, tied all her passions together. «I came across theater by chance», she recalled. A friend had returned from a conference and started a company centered on applied theater. «I joined her in co-creating the company, and it brought together all my interests: psychology, group work, anthropology, and culture. I realized it was a powerful tool». Since 2007, Maysoun has practiced Applied Theater, using it to help groups, individuals, companies, and NGOs develop skills and tools through creative, experiential learning. One format she often uses involves guiding participants through a program that culminates in a play performed for an audience with similar interests. «The play ends in a crisis—left unresolved—we invite the audience to step in, to intervene on stage where they think a different reaction might have led to a resolution». «That's just one example», she said, «but all in all, I create experiential learning journeys where people act, reflect, learn, adapt, and grow as a group. It depends on what the group wants to explore. It's all about using theater to create meaningful learning experiences». Rediscovering Amazigh culture Her journey into theater and creativity eventually reconnected her with her heritage—and with a deep frustration: not being able to speak the mother tongue of her beloved grandparents. «That whole journey opened up a new world for me», she said, recalling powerful encounters with First Nations artists in Australia. «Those meetings reminded me of my own ancient culture. That ancient spoke to me», she said. That calling prompted her to focus on her roots—specifically on the folktales and oral traditions her grandparents used to tell in Tachelhit. «I came up with the idea of going on a journey with my mother to rediscover folktales from our region and from Amazigh culture in general—especially in places like Imi Ntanout and Taroudant». That's how storytelling became central to her life. «The idea actually came to me back in 2012—a dream of traveling with my mother into the mountains to collect stories. I had to wait until recently to begin the project». From Sunrise to Sunset What started as a personal exploration has now evolved into a much bigger initiative—one that bridges Moroccan and Australian cultures. This culminated in a cross-cultural art project called Sunrise to Sunset. Described by Maysoun, its creator and producer, as a vibrant mix of narrative, melody, and movement, «The project is a dialogue of stories, dance, and music between the two cultures», she explained. It marks the end of a creative residency which lasted two weeks in Morocco—the project's first phase—during which the team explored cultural exchange through art. «We looked at what we had, exchanged ideas, and reflected on cultural dialogue. The show is a presentation of the work we've done during this first meeting», she explained. In the show, Maysoun will be joined by Warren Clements, a Wakaman man from northern Queensland and a celebrated dancer, actor, and cultural educator. Benjamin Walsh, a world-renowned percussionist and genre-defying composer, curates the project's soundscape. Representing Morocco is Redouane Bentaleb, an Amazigh storyteller and musician who embodies the soul of Amazigh culture. The dialogue throughout the show will be multilingual. «It will be in French and English, with some Amazigh too—but mostly French and English», she noted. The show will take place on Thursday, June 12, in Casablanca. Maysoun has big dreams for the project, which she hopes to develop further into a full theater piece. «The plan is to tour it, and of course Morocco is on the map—we'd love to bring it to different cities». The title Sunrise to Sunset is symbolic. «I live on the East Coast of Australia, where I often watch the sunrise—it's one of the first places in the country to see the sun. And sunset—well, Morocco is the land of the setting sun, the Maghreb. I've watched so many beautiful sunsets there. The show is really an homage to my culture, to Amazigh heritage, to Morocco—and to Australia».
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
Marca: Brahim Diaz is Morocco's Football Icon On and Off the Pitch
Rabat – Spanish sports daily Marca has spotlighted Brahim Diaz as a rising symbol of Moroccan pride for both his footballing talent and his growing influence as a public figure and cultural icon. Describing Diaz as an 'absolute icon' of Moroccan football, Marca said that despite not playing in Morocco's recent international friendlies, his presence remains deeply felt throughout the country. His popularity has soared since he joined the national team, and according to the article, his image is now seen 'everywhere' in Morocco, from billboards to social media, from television commercials to the streets of major cities. The 24-year-old Real Madrid midfielder was called up for Morocco's June international window but will not appear in either friendly, against Tunisia in Fez or against Benin in Agadir. This absence is not due to injury, as the Moroccan Football Federation has opted to rest him, aware that Real Madrid is counting on him for the FIFA Club World Cup later this month. Still, Diaz is fully involved with the national squad. He trained with his teammates during the international camp and will be watching the Tunisia match from the stands. 'A social and media icon' What makes Brahim Díaz unique, and what Marca emphasizes, is how his influence extends far beyond football. Since committing to Morocco in 2023 after previously representing Spain at youth levels, Diaz has experienced a meteoric rise in fame and cultural relevance. 'Off the pitch, Brahim has become a social and media icon among Moroccans. Since becoming a Real Madrid player and choosing to represent Morocco internationally, he has reached an unmatched level of visibility,' reads the article. Marca notes that he is the only footballer in the world to appear on the cover of Forbes while also starring in major Hollywood productions. In addition, he has launched his own bottled water brand and is the face of a nationwide advertising campaign with one of Morocco's top telecom companies. In addition, his youth football camp, called Mentalidad Brahim, already operates in Malaga and will soon expand into Morocco. The article concluded that Diaz represents something new for Moroccan football: a player who is not only gifted on the pitch but also culturally fluent and globally connected. Tags: Brahim DiazFootballsports
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Air Nostrum expands Malaga–Morocco flights this summer
Estimated read time: 1' This summer, Air Nostrum is boosting connectivity between Malaga and Morocco by operating flights to and from Tangier and Casablanca through a code-share agreement with Royal Air Maroc (RAM). The airline, which operates regional flights for Iberia under a franchise, has already launched services from Malaga to Tangier, with flights running until the end of September. Meanwhile, flights to the Moroccan metropolis of Casablanca will operate from July 19 to August 30. According to a statement, a total of 8,208 seats are available for Tangier. Flights run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays until June 28, then resume from September 2 to 30. From July 1 to 18, the frequency increases to three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. During the peak summer season, from July 19 to August 31, flight frequency will rise to five times per week, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. For Casablanca, 1,900 seats are available during the peak summer period from July 19 to August 30, with flights scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
