فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat: Under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid presided, on Thursday, at the OLM-Souissi space in Rabat, over the opening of the 30th International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL), held from April 18th to 27th.
The opening of this Fair by His Royal Highness is a further illustration of the high solicitude with which His Majesty the King constantly surrounds the cultural sphere and of His firm commitment to promoting its various manifestations, with the primary objective of building a knowledge-based, open, prosperous, and civilized society.
On this occasion, Prince Moulay Rachid visited several stands at the Fair, including that of the Emirate of Sharjah, the guest of honor of this 30th edition of SIEL, which celebrates the historical and cultural ties uniting the Kingdom of Morocco with the brotherly State of the United Arab Emirates and aims to showcase the latest developments in the Emirati cultural scene.
His Royal Highness also visited the stands of Palestine, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the French Institute of Morocco, the Société Chérifienne de Distribution et de Presse (SOCHEPRESS), Dar Amane, and The Smurfs Universe.
Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in partnership with the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region and the Wilaya of the same region, the 30th International Book and Publishing Fair brings together 756 exhibitors, including 292 direct and 464 indirect exhibitors, representing 51 countries.
A vast selection of over 100,000 titles covering all fields of knowledge and various literary genres are on display at the Fair, which this year honors the Emirate of Sharjah and celebrates Moroccans Around the World, who contribute to the influence of Morocco’s plural identity beyond its borders.
With a rich and diverse cultural program, this edition sees the participation of numerous researchers, writers, and creators, both Moroccan and foreign, who will lead conferences, literary encounters, poetry evenings, and book presentations.
Furthermore, highlights will punctuate this 30th edition, with tributes to prominent figures of Moroccan creation, whose works have marked national culture and contributed to its influence. The program also includes tributes to figures from Arab culture, organized in partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), as well as the presentation of literary awards, including the Ibn Battouta Prize for Travel Literature and the National Reading Prize.
As in previous editions, a rich and varied program aimed at children and students will be offered throughout the Fair.
The 30th edition of SIEL aims to be a major event contributing to the revitalization of the Moroccan cultural scene and to strengthening Rabat’s influence as a cultural destination, both nationally and internationally, as the city prepares to hold the title of World Book Capital in 2026.
Upon his arrival at the International Book and Publishing Fair, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid reviewed a section of the Auxiliary Forces who rendered honors, before being greeted by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, HH Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasmi, President of the Sharjah Book Authority, guest of honor of the Fair, and Mr. Ahmed Ben Rakkad Al Ameri, Executive Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority.
His Royal Highness was also greeted by Mr. Driss El Yazami, President of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), Mr. Mohamed Yacoubi, Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, Governor of the Prefecture of Rabat, Mr. Rachid El Abdi, President of the Regional Council1 of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, and Mr. Salim Al Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).
Prince Moulay Rachid was also greeted by Mrs. Fatiha El Moudni, President of the Communal Council, Mr. Abdelaziz Driouich, President of the Prefectural Council, Mrs. Latifa Moftaqir, Director of the Archives of the Kingdom of Morocco, General Commissioner of SIEL, Mr. Salah-Eddine Abkari, Interim Secretary General of the Department of Culture, and Mrs. Ghyzlaine Derrous, Director of Books, Libraries and Archives.
