The opening ceremony for this large-scale event, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, was attended by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, as well as a host of political, diplomatic, media and cultural personalities.
Bensaid told the press that the SIEL is not only a celebration of books and reading, but also a perfect opportunity for all citizens to discover new cultural horizons.
“The International Book and Publishing Fair plays an essential role in the cultural and publishing industry, but also in the economical and social sphere,” he said, noting that, with each edition, participants in this cultural event record considerable book sales and gain in visibility.
After underlining his department’s constant and direct support for reading and books, Minister Bensaid recalled that several other regional, national and international cultural fairs were being held across the Kingdom’s various cities.
For his part, the Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office for the Maghreb, Eric Falt, commended the choice of the UN organization as guest of honor at this year’s SIEL, noting that “this choice is recognition of our work and the ties that bind us to Morocco”.
“Visitors will have the opportunity to discover in the agora of our space the different actions and activities that we lead in the field of science, communication and information, UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, as well as biosphere reserves”, he stated.
The UN official also announced that the UNESCO space will host over 20 conferences during the ten days of the SIEL, explaining that the focus will be on two very important subjects, namely artificial intelligence and youth.
Organized until May 19 by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in partnership with the Wilaya of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region and the Rabat City Council, this edition will see the participation of 743 exhibitors representing 48 countries, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as guest of honor.
As in previous editions, the SIEL cultural program, which offers a wide choice of activities featuring Moroccan and foreign authors, thinkers and creators, confirms Morocco’s vocation as a country of encounters, dialogue and cultural exchange.
Some 241 cultural activities will punctuate the days of the fair, through a rich and diversified program including conferences embracing themes such as multiple Africa, profiles and images, female and male writing, as well as media and technology, with the participation of an array of Moroccan and foreign writers, intellectuals and poets.
