Moroccan readers and English literature lovers enjoyed a three-day event this weekend in Marrakech in the inaugural English Book Festival (MEBF), featuring authors, editors, and other cultural actors.
The participants at this first edition, spear-headed by Morocco’s most notable and promising names in the English literature scene, celebrated the success of the event.
Speaking to Hespress EN, organizers said they were “immensely happy with the turnout, which reflects a strong interest in the English language in Morocco,” having taken notes from this first experience to improve in upcoming editions.
This first edition, which was previously delayed due to COVID-19, saw the participation of Moroccans who came to ochre city for this occasion, including the UK Ambassador to Morocco, Simon Martin.
“We would like to see more writings, and hopefully make the event last for more than 3 days in the future,” Writer and MEBF Yassine Adnane told Hespress EN.
“This was a great opportunity for industry professionals and hopeful writers to network,” said organizing committee member Nich Churkas, adding that “events like these are the way to establish structure and an industry to Morocco’s increasing interest in English.”
The event allowed many unpublished and self-published authors to meet publishers and their established peers, allowing them to now have promising prospects for their future works.
Young self published Moroccan novelist Zakaria Aitouaries told Hespress EN that “the event has been a great opportunity to meet industry professionals,” adding that talks with publishers have resulted from the MEBF, for his upcoming book.
The event additionally included French writers who have seen their works translated into English such as Marrakech born and bred writer and artist, Mahi Binebine, who expressed his amazement at the interest in the festival.
“It’s an amazing turnout for a first edition,” Binebine told Hespress EN, explaining that despite his status as an established francophone literary figure in Morocco, he does in fact see the hunger for English works in the country, starting with his own daughters.
British author and BBC journalist featured in the event assured Hespress EN that the audience for the festival is but a fraction of what the English audiences make up in Morocco.
The festival’s offer spanned multiple activities, from author panels, book discussions, children’s readings, and cooking classes, and closed with a unanimous conclusion: Moroccans are eager to see English and anglo-saxon literature’s place in the country increasing, with attendees already looking forward to the second edition of this successful event.
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