Over 202,000 people attend Rabat's SIEL Book Fair in 2022

on Jun 14, 2022

According to Morocco's Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid, the 27th International Book and Print Fair (SIEL) drew approximately 202,000 people.

According to Bensaid, the large number of visitors to SIEL "reflects Moroccans' interest in books and the culture of reading, especially given the pandemic scenario, resurgence of cases, and the necessity to comply with preventive measures."

The official also revealed the ministry's plan to create a reading strategy, "beginning with investing in regional fairs and boosting their level, quality, and even content."

The SIEL is being held in Rabat this year to commemorate the city's nomination as the Islamic World cultural capital for 2022.

This year's edition featured prominent figures from the artistic, political, and economic spheres, with African literature taking centre stage as part of King Mohammed VI's aim to promote south-south collaboration and Morocco's African cultural heritage and values.

Approximately 380 speakers participated in seminars, round tables, new publication presentations, and poetic evenings organised as part of the international book fair.

Aside from this year's Ibn Battouta Prize for Travel Literature, the National Reading Prize, and the Most Accessible Stand Award, organisers paid tribute to Moroccan writers who died during the pandemic's first two years.

Children benefited from a variety of activities, including literary, artistic, and scientific programmes.

SIEL was founded in Rabat with a MAD 12 million ($1.2 million) investment from Morocco's Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and it cost an extra MAD 8 million ($807,306) from the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Regional Council.