The International Book Fair and Publishing Fair of Rabat is the largest book fair in Morocco and one of the most important annual events in Moroccan cultural life. It is held for over ten days, under the patronage of King Mohammed VI.
The Book Fair takes place in an area of 20,000 square meters, making it one of the largest cultural events in Morocco. It attracts numerous authors, artists, and publishers, cultural and religious organizations, as well as visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
The festival aim to boost reading in Morocco, at a time when, unfortunately, there is a tendency to read less and less. Their goal is to inspire more citizens to engage with literature and contribute to the growth of the local literary ecosystem.
This year, the thirtieth edition of SIEL, the International Book and Publishing Fair, will be held in the capital from April 18th to 27th and will celebrate Driss Chraibi, considered one of the most important figures in Moroccan and Maghreb literature of the 20th century, with photographs, testimonies, and a complete collection of his literary works.
The organisers want to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chraibi’s novel “Les Boucs” (The Rams), published in 1955 in French, the first Moroccan novel to explore the themes of migration, immigration to France, and the difficult conditions experienced by Maghreb immigrants.
Born in El Jadida in 1926, after studying in Casablanca, Driss Chraibi moved to Paris in 1945 to pursue chemistry studies before ultimately embracing a career in literature and journalism.
His remarkable literary contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the Mediterranean Africa Prize for his body of work in 1973 and the Franco-Arab Friendship Prize in 1981. and remained in France until his death in April 2007. His work has had a great influence on Maghreb literature and continues to be studied and appreciated for its originality, its critical spirit, and its ability to address universal themes.
The celebrated writer spent his final years in southeastern France’s Drôme region, where he had resided since 1988 until his death in April 2007.
This year’s International Book and Publishing Fair, offering a dynamic space for cultural dialogue, literary discovery, and professional networking, promises to be a focal point for major figures in the publishing world and testifies to the intellectual ferment and commitment of Morocco to establish itself also as a cultural hub, in the spirit of tradition but also of innovation.
