A group of around ten Moroccan illustrators gathered from April 21 to 24 for an artistic residency at the Museum of History and Civilizations in Rabat. Over three days, they worked to enhance visually captivating pieces celebrating the beauty and cultural richness of the Moroccan capital. Held under the theme «Rabat, Capital of the World through Children's Book Illustrations», the residency took place in a studious and serene atmosphere as part of the 30th International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL 2025). It brought together illustrators from diverse backgrounds to share experiences, techniques, and styles. The residency culminated in the creation of a collective comic strip illustrating the history of Rabat. In a statement to MAP, Mickaël El Fathi, a Franco-Moroccan author and visual artist, explained that the residency—organized as part of the Arab Youth Literature Forum—brought together young illustrators to create visuals for an original literary text titled «Rabat, Capital of the Book», which he authored. To support this imaginative narrative, which traces Rabat's history from antiquity to the present day, the story was divided into sections, with each illustrator responsible for adapting one part in their own artistic style. Designed as a space for research and reflection on the city's architectural, historical, and symbolic memory, the residency offered participants a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Rabat's living history. They explored the role of illustration in transmitting knowledge, preserving memory, and evoking emotional resonance. Amina Alaoui Hachimi, illustrator and professional development manager at the Arab Forum of Children's Book Publishers, noted that the residency aimed to highlight the importance of mentorship and training in children's book illustration. Ilham Flouki, an illustrator and graduate of the National Institute of Fine Arts in Tetouan, expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with fellow artists on a project that showcases Rabat's historical legacy. She emphasized how the experience enabled her to both apply and expand her skills, ensuring a seamless fusion of text and image. Organized as part of the celebration of Rabat's designation as World Book Capital 2026, the event was coordinated by Yasmine El Kaouakibi, editorial director at Yanbow Al Kitab publishing house. It was supported and proposed by the Arab Forum of Book Publishers, based in Sharjah, with the aim of fostering greater international visibility for Moroccan illustrators and strengthening their ties with children's book publishers across the Arab world and beyond.
