DR ‹ › On Thursday, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurated the 31st International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) at the OLM-Souissi venue in Rabat, which runs from May 1st to 10th. During his visit, the Crown Prince explored numerous stands, including that of France, this year's guest of honor. Among the stands visited by Moulay El Hassan were those of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, which spotlighted this edition's theme, «Ibn Battuta and the Narrative of Travel», as well as the National Observatory for Children's Rights, the Mohammed VI Foundation for People with Disabilities, the Dar El Amane Publishing House, and Palestine. The Crown Prince also toured the stands of the Alaouite Organization for the Promotion of the Blind in Morocco, the School Bookstore Group, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, the Foundation for the Preservation of Rabat's Cultural Heritage, and the Le Petit Prince space. This 31st edition of SIEL is organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication in collaboration with the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, and the Rabat Municipality. It coincides with UNESCO's designation of Rabat as the World Book Capital for 2026, which will be celebrated from April 2026 to April 2027. The fair hosts 891 exhibitors, including 321 direct and 570 indirect participants from Morocco and 60 countries spanning the Arab world, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Attendees can explore a rich and diverse collection of over 130,000 titles and more than 3 million copies, covering a wide range of knowledge and creative expressions. This year's cultural program is enriched by the participation of numerous Moroccan and international researchers and writers, featuring hundreds of speakers, thematic symposiums and conferences, poetic evenings, direct engagements, and new publication launches. The fair will also honor Moroccan literary figures who have made significant historical contributions since the 9th century. Young visitors are catered to with the Le Petit Prince space, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's timeless work, offering an immersive experience designed to inspire travel and discovery.
