The 29th edition of the International Publishing and Book Fair will be hosted in Rabat next May with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the guest of honor in the event that’ll see exhibitors from 48 countries.
Speakers revealed during a press conference today that the edition is set to honor Amazigh-Jewish writer and visual critic Edmond Omran El Maleh, known for his support of the Palestinian cause, with a special exhibition, discussions, and testimonials.
Speaking for the International Book and Publishing Fair, Latifa Moftaqir said, “this year, we are dedicating a space to Edmond Omran El Maleh, for his role in introducing Moroccan culture, which will be accompanied by meetings and lectures by an elite group of writers and thinkers,” in addition to the participation of 745 participants in the cultural program for the nine days of the exhibition, and the continuation of the space permanently allocated to African books.”
She explained that the event will host 43 exhibitors from 48 countries and will present readers with 100,000 publications in 3 million copies, with discussions that include 241 cultural topics.
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, said“The guest of Honor in 2024 is UNESCO; This is a very important point, given our distinguished relations with it in the literary and educational fields, traditional industries, and the cultural field about reading, writing, archaeology, and tangible and intangible heritage.” The organization’s presence demonstrates “our involvement in the standards it affirms,’ he added.
“We are investing in the presence of UNESCO to bring in international writers, and we are organizing meetings with international figures who work with the UNESCO Foundation,” and it is also an appointment to “defend our tangible and intangible heritage in the context of challenges at the international level, and this is an opportunity for us to introduce our heritage.”
Acknowledging a mixed message on reading practices in Morocco, the minister said that while street vendors suggest interest, affordability continues to be a hurdle. B
Book prices, along with cinema and theatre tickets, are seen as too high, especially for minimum wage earners, affirming that the Ministry is working with Finance to develop measures to make books more accessible for Moroccans.
Eric Valt, Director of the UNESCO Office in the Maghreb Countries, said that the organization’s participation in this year’s edition focuses on education, culture, science, and world heritage, and will announce a new publication directed at children in three tongues about Moroccan heritage, as well as focusing on artificial intelligence and its status in Morocco.
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