Conclusion of the 16th Regional Book Fair in Marrakech
The 16th edition of the Regional Book Fair in Marrakech concluded on the evening of Tuesday, May 19, after six days filled with a diverse array of cultural and artistic activities. The event took place in the Book Sellers Square and the Daoudiates Cultural Center, under the theme: “Printed Books: A Horizon for Recovering Knowledge.” The fair witnessed a remarkable turnout from authors, creators, and cultural enthusiasts, solidifying its status as a significant annual cultural event.
Diverse Cultural Activities and Engaging Discussions
This year’s fair served as a prominent cultural platform in the Marrakech-Safi region, featuring a packed agenda that included intellectual seminars, workshops for children, book signings, and poetry readings, alongside artistic performances and tributes to various contributors in the literary space. The event, which ran from May 14 to 19, organized 12 workshops aimed at children, in addition to three major seminars addressing current cultural and intellectual issues, and eight sessions dedicated to readings and new book signings. Over 50 participants, including poets and artists, contributed to the fair, which saw more than 28 newly signed publications spanning genres such as novels, poetry, theater, criticism, and studies in the arts.
The 16th edition notably addressed several issues related to the transformation of books and reading in the digital age, particularly concerning the future of literature amid the increasing use of artificial intelligence and the shifts in writing, publishing, and reception practices. This focus provided the fair with a contemporary intellectual dimension that resonates with current cultural transformations.
The diversity of publications and activities was striking, encompassing areas such as novels, poetry, theater, visual arts, Islamic studies, and literary criticism, alongside a significant public presence. The fair concluded with the signing of five new publications in philosophy, visual arts, cinema, and novels, followed by a poetry evening and an artistic celebration at the Daoudiates Cultural Center, creating an atmosphere that celebrated words, creativity, and the arts.
This edition reaffirmed, through its level of participation, the number of publications, and the intellectual challenges it presented, the ability of the Regional Book Fair in Marrakech to continue establishing its presence as one of Morocco's foremost cultural events while preserving the significance of printed books in an era of rapid digital transformation.
As reported by klamkom.com.
