Latest news with #SIEL
Ya Biladi
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Morocco Book Fair 2025 : More than 403,000 visitors and a 26% rise
The 30th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL 2025), which concluded on Sunday, attracted more than 403,000 visitors, marking a 26% increase compared to last year. In a statement, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication noted that the event, held from April 18 to 27, brought together 756 exhibitors from 51 countries, offering nearly 100,000 titles. This edition placed a special spotlight on the Emirate of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) and Moroccan writers from around the world. It further cemented SIEL's status as a showcase of Moroccan literary dynamism while positioning Rabat as a leading cultural destination, ahead of its designation as the World Book Capital in 2026. The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) praised the event's rich program, which featured more than sixty activities and over 170 guests from Morocco and 16 countries where Moroccan expatriate authors live. Across the SIEL spaces and beyond, including at a joint stand with the Ministry, these gatherings paid tribute to key figures in immigration literature, such as Abdellah Bounfour, Lalla Khiti Amina Benhachem Alaoui, Ahmed Ghazali, and Edmond Amran El Maleh, according to a statement. The Council also highlighted the special attention given to writer Driss Chraïbi, whose centenary will be celebrated in 2026. Other highlights included an exhibition featuring fourteen Moroccan photographers from around the world, screenings of ten pioneering films on Moroccan immigration, a multilingual poetry evening in Arabic, Amazigh, French, English, Italian, and Spanish with eleven poets, four philosophical roundtables, and twenty discussions around recently published novels and essays focusing on immigration themes. In addition, an immigration-themed bookstore offered more than 600 works showcasing the richness of Moroccan voices worldwide, including twenty new publications co-published by the CCME with Moroccan publishers. The Council also welcomed the launch of a new translation program, initiated by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, aimed at translating the literary works of Moroccans around the world into Arabic.
Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
SIEL 2025 Draws 403,000 Visitors With Strong Turnout From Moroccan Writers Abroad
Rabat – The 30th International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) closed its doors on Sunday after welcoming more than 403,000 visitors, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication announced. The turnout marks a 26% rise compared to last year, reflecting the fair's growing influence on Morocco's cultural calendar. Bringing together 756 exhibitors from 51 countries, SIEL offered readers access to nearly 100,000 titles, spanning literature, science, philosophy, and thought from across the world. This year, special attention turned to Moroccan writers living abroad, whose strong presence reflects the rising global popularity of Moroccan literature. This year's edition also honored the Emirate of Sharjah as guest of honor. The fair came to life through the efforts of the Ministry of Youth with support from the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Regional Council and the local authorities. SIEL 2025 has further solidified Rabat's place as an important cultural capital. The city drew visitors and authors alike into conversations that crossed borders and generations, anchoring its role on the national and international stage. The fair also stood out as a true crossroads of cultures and ideas. It hosted a wide range of panels and debates discussing a great number of issues, ranging from human rights to new literary tendencies. The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) made a particularly strong appearance, engaging visitors in conversations around freedom of expression and cultural rights. Meanwhile, a dedicated space for children offered workshops and storytelling sessions, nurturing a love for books and imagination from an early age. Throughout the week, SIEL brought together voices from different horizons, turning Rabat into a lively meeting ground for readers, writers, and thinkers from across the globe. As the doors close on this year's edition with a bittersweet farewell, the anticipation for what's to come already begins to brew. Readers, writers, and culture vultures alike now turn their eyes to next year's festival, speculating about how SIEL will grow and thrill next. Until then, this year's fair's energy is certain to linger. Tags: Book fairMorocco SIELSIELSIEL 2025
Morocco World
27-04-2025
- General
- Morocco World
SIEL 2025: CNDH Calls for Moroccan Rock Art Heritage Preservation
Rabat – Morocco's ancient rock art, long considered a treasure trove of history and culture, took center stage during a thought-provoking panel at the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) booth at the International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) 2025. Experts gathered on Saturday, April 26th, to discuss the significance of these engravings, their preservation, and the potential they hold for local development. Mountassir El Ouakili, Director of the National Center for Rock Engravings in Agadir, shared insights on the progress of cataloging Morocco's rock art. 'Rock engravings are historical and cultural documents in themselves,' he told Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the panel, noting how these ancient carvings are invaluable in understanding the pre-writing and prehistoric periods. Through collaborative efforts with institutions like the CNDH, the number of documented rock art sites in Morocco has surged from over 200 in the 1980s to more than 800 today. This expansion represents a monumental step in protecting Morocco's diverse heritage. 'Thanks to cataloging, we now have a clearer understanding of our rock art,' El Ouakili further explained. The symposium's focus was not just on preservation but also on the economic potential of Morocco's rock art. El Ouakili stressed the need to turn these historical sites into drivers of economic growth, especially in vulnerable areas. 'This symposium helps us understand the challenges threatening this heritage and explore ways to transform it into a tool for economic development,' he said. A reflection of Morocco's cultural diversity Mustapha El Hamri, university professor, rock art researcher, also spoke on the panel, emphasizing the role of rock art in representing Morocco's cultural diversity. 'Rock art is integral to our national heritage,' he later told MWN, noting that the engravings span the entire country, from the northern Figuig region to the southern Tiris and Adrar areas. He referenced the large economic returns rock art can yield for local communities, particularly in out-of-the-way places. 'It is vital to protect these sites and integrate them into development planning,' El Hamri asserted. 'If we do this, we can develop sustainable resources that can improve the standard of living of these communities.' His words emphasized the potential for rock art to become a tool for both cultural preservation and community development. A broader African perspective The panel also touched briefly on the broader applicability of Morocco's rock art to other African nations. Panelists spoke about how the rock engravings of the nation compare to those of similar artwork in Sub-Saharan Africa, both culturally and chronologically. Through an examination of these similarities and differences, the symposium sought to provide a greater understanding of Morocco's place within the greater African heritage. The debate gave a subtle view of how Morocco's rock art is part of the common history of the continent but remains unique in itself. Experts balanced the meaning of the similarities and differences, investigating their cultural, historical, and anthropological significance. A platform for cross-cultural exchange The panel was part of the broader cultural programming by CNDH at SIEL 2025, which has seen a staggering 39% increase in visitors since last year's event. This symposium was just one of a series of activities by CNDH to showcase the rich heritage of Morocco and give greater exposure to the topic of rock art. In a time when heritage is in danger of being erased, Morocco's relentless quest to preserve its rock art inspires hope. As El Ouakili and El Hamri explained, the ancient carvings are not simply relics of the past but pivotal elements of Morocco's future. Through additional research, conservation, and strategic integration into development plans, Morocco is able to preserve its rock art while allowing it to benefit local communities for centuries to come.
Morocco World
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
SIEL 2025 Celebrates Literature's Role in Africa's Political Awakening
Rabat – The Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL) 30th edition provided an occasion for reflection and tribute on Wednesday, April 23, as intellectuals gathered to mark the 29th anniversary of the passing of Mohamed Bahi Horma, one of Morocco's most influential journalists and authors. The fair, a prominent gathering for Moroccan literature, became a space for celebrating past achievements and probing the continuing relevance of Bahi Horma's work in shaping the intellectual landscape of the region. The centerpiece of the day's events was the presentation of the ninth volume of Bahi Horma's collected works, 'Le rêveur meurt, mais son rêve ne meurt pas' (The Dreamer Dies, But His Dream Does Not Die). The enduring relevance of Bahi Horma's writings This new volume, published by Bab Al-Hikma and curated by M'barek Bouderka, compiles articles Bahi Horma wrote for 'Al-Tahrir' and 'Al Moharrir' between 1959 and 1965. These pieces take a profound look at the revolutionary struggles that shaped modern Africa and Morocco's intellectual scene during the post-colonial era. Bouderka, who was instrumental in bringing the book to light, spoke passionately about the themes explored in the new volume. 'This book addresses a critical period in African history, specifically the years 1958 to 1961. Bahi Horma's meticulous research and reporting on General de Gaulle's campaign in Africa reveal the complexities of France's attempt to reshape its relationship with its former colonies under the guise of the French Fifth Republic,' he explained in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN). Ever the sharp observer, Bahi Horma recognized the French initiative as a continuation of colonialism in a new form. 'De Gaulle's attempt to create a French-African Commonwealth was a veiled extension of colonial domination, disguised as an opportunity for mutual cooperation,' Bouderka added. This perspective is an important contribution to understanding how former colonial powers continued to shape African nations' fates even after they gained independence. The book offers a deep exploration of the political dynamics of the time, particularly focusing on the pivotal moments in Guinea's independence movement. In a scene that remains iconic, Guinea's leader, Ahmed Sékou Touré, famously rejected France's offer: 'We prefer poverty in freedom to wealth in slavery.' On September 28, 1958, while most of France's colonies voted 'yes' to the new Constitution, Guinea stood alone as the only territory to vote 'no,' with over 95% of the vote. Bahi Horma's analysis of these events is as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. The book also looks at the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the groundbreaking Casablanca Conference of 1961, and Bahi Horma's detailed account of Sudan's political strife during a 1965 visit. In his reporting, Bahi Horma coined the term 'militarytariat' to describe the tense relationship between military regimes and the working class, a concept that remains strikingly applicable to many African countries still grappling with political instability. Power of thought Tayeb Bayad, a leading academic and contributor to the discussion at SIEL, also offered a sobering reflection on Bahi Horma's intellectual legacy. Bayad's words were echoed by Mahmoud Al Zahi, a researcher who noted the intellectual weight of Bahi Horma's contributions to understanding the geopolitical shifts in North Africa and the larger African continent during a time of monumental change. Bahi Horma's writings did not only reflect events; they also served as a tool for mobilization, calling on the intellectuals of the time to engage in the political struggles for independence. Bouderka, who helped bring this latest volume to the public, emphasized that Bahi Horma's work was always more than mere documentation. 'He believed that intellectuals had a duty to participate in these struggles, not just observe them,' he explained. 'His support for African liberation movements wasn't passive; it was deeply engaged and empathetic.' This year's tribute at SIEL was a reminder that Bahi Horma's work was more than an academic exercise; it was a force that shaped how Moroccans and Africans viewed their place in the world. His commitment to truth, independence, and social justice reverberates through his writings, continuing to challenge readers to think critically about power, politics, and identity in the post-colonial era. Bahi Horma's dream may have passed with his death, but as his latest volume shows, his ideas remain very much alive, continuing to inspire generations of readers and thinkers. Tags: Mohamed Bahi Hormapostcolonial AfricaRabat book fairSIELSIEL 2025
Ya Biladi
27-04-2025
- General
- Ya Biladi
Honoring Lalla Khiti Benhachem : Pioneering Moroccan journalist celebrated at SIEL 2025
The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) organized a ceremony and debate in honor of Lalla Khiti Amina Benhachem Alaoui, the first Moroccan journalist at Belgian Radio and Television, as part of the 30th International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL). The gathering, attended by researchers, media professionals from Morocco and abroad, and members of Benhachem Alaoui's family, featured testimonials highlighting the uniqueness of her media career and her contributions to migration issues and intercultural dialogue, according to the organizers. In a speech read on her behalf, Benhachem Alaoui noted that her media work served as «a bridge between cultures, between Morocco and Belgium, between generations, and between who we are and who we become». Academic and researcher Hassan Bousetta emphasized that the duo formed by Benhachem Alaoui and her husband, director Mehrdad Taghian, became a key part of the history of Moroccan immigration in Belgium, helping shape the representation of immigrants in public broadcasting. For Karim Ibourki, president of the Higher Council for Audiovisual Media in Belgium, Lalla Khiti's reports were the first to «show both French-speaking Belgians and Moroccans that they were going to be part of the same society». Testifying to their friendship and achievements, French journalist Claire Frachon recalled meeting «the legendary couple, Lalla Khiti and her husband», during a conference in the early 1990s that brought together European journalists and producers. She also spoke emotionally about the importance of the program Sindbad, which showcased inspiring journeys and initiatives led by migrants. Lalla Khiti Benhachem's work accompanied and reflected the history and transformations of Moroccan immigration in Belgium over several decades, until her retirement in 2010. This marks the second time the CCME has honored her for her pioneering role and exceptional career in Belgian media. This edition of SIEL celebrates Moroccans around the world with a rich and extensive program. As part of this tribute, the CCME organized several events honoring Moroccan figures who have made a significant impact on the international cultural scene.
