Morocco Named Guest of Honor at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2024

Morocco's Beni Mellal is set as guest of honor at Sharjah International Book Fair 2024, highlighting cultural ties with UAE. Expect Moroccan pavilion featuring diverse activities and heritage showcases.

on Jun 24, 2024

Morocco Named Guest of Honor at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2024

Over 2 million tourists are anticipated to experience Morocco's rich legacy when the country takes center stage at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2024.

Morocco's Beni Mellal has been named the guest of honor at the forthcoming Sharjah International Book Fair, which will take place from November 6 to 17, 2024.

The declaration came after the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the Sharjah Book Authority inked an agreement on June 11 in Rabat.

Morocco's Beni Mellal has been named the guest of honor at the forthcoming Sharjah International Book Fair, which will take place from November 6 to 17, 2024.

The declaration came after the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the Sharjah Book Authority inked an agreement on June 11 in Rabat.

The signing event was co-chaired by Morocco's Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, and Ahmed bin Rakkad Al-Ameri, Executive Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority. Khoula Al-Mujaini, the Fair's General Coordinator, represented the UAE, while Latifa Moftaqir, Director of Books, Libraries, and Archives, represented Morocco.

According to the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Bensaid highlighted that this invitation comes at a critical juncture in Morocco-UAE ties, which are witnessing a substantial leap under the leadership of both countries.

He expressed hope that the cultural sector will align with other areas of cooperation, emphasizing the significance of building mechanisms to raise cultural relations to the level of political and economic links between the two countries.

"The participation of the Kingdom of Morocco as guest of honor at the Sharjah International Book Fair represents the beginning of an advanced stage of coordination and cooperation, exchange of experiences and operationalization of any initiative favoring the broadening of prospects for joint action," said Bensaid, as quoted by MAP.

On the Emirati side, Al-Ameri emphasized that Morocco's selection as the 2024 guest of honor represents Sharjah's objective of promoting cultural conversation and understanding among peoples. He characterized it as "a pioneering Arab model of positive interaction with diversity and cultural pluralism, and of blending different influences to form a singular cultural identity."

The Sharjah International Book Fair, which drew over 2.17 million visitors over its 12-day run last year, is one of the world's most important entrances to Arabic literature and culture.

The fair's significantly later start date this year is expected to accommodate commercial visitors from the Frankfurt Book Fair (October 16-20) and the preceding Sharjah Publishers Conference.

The Moroccan pavilion will host a comprehensive program, including documentary screenings, cultural activities attended by notable intellectuals and literary leaders, musical performances, and artistic workshops centered on Moroccan cultural heritage.