The Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage at SILEJ
The Rabat Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, is making a strong presence at the 3rd edition of the International Children’s and Youth Book Fair (SILEJ 2025), taking place from November 8 to 16 in Casablanca.
On this occasion, the Foundation is showcasing its flagship educational programs, including “I Discover My Heritage,” “I Draw My Heritage,” as well as its educational magazine “Roya,” a creative platform that highlights Moroccan cultural heritage through the contributions of young people.
The “Roya” Magazine at the Heart of an Educational Roundtable
As part of the fair, a roundtable discussion titled “Heritage in Children’s Words: The “Roya” Magazine as a Bridge for Transmission” brought together several teachers engaged in the Foundation’s educational program.
Participants presented their teaching methods and emphasized the school’s central role as the primary venue for introducing students to heritage. Indeed, integrating heritage into educational practices connects learning to places, collective memories, and cultural legacies.
The Teacher as a Cultural Mediator and Key Transmission Actor
The meeting highlighted the importance of the teacher as a cultural mediator, capable of stimulating creativity and enhancing students’ interest in heritage.
Speakers reminded attendees that Moroccan heritage—including architecture, traditional arts, craftsmanship, music, gastronomy, and intangible heritage—serves as a powerful source of inspiration, cultural openness, and identity formation for younger generations.
A Structuring Educational Program for Students
According to Salma Moulanaychouf, the Foundation’s educational program coordinator, this roundtable is part of a series of workshops organized at SILEJ to honor the teachers involved.
The program “I Discover My Heritage,” developed in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and UNESCO, is based on a cultural, artistic, and contextual approach.
Since 2022, it has raised awareness among over 16,200 students about the importance of valuing the cultural heritage of their cities.
A Creative Workshop to Connect Youth with Heritage
The Foundation will continue its activities on Friday with the interactive workshop “Cultural Heritage in Daily Life,” aimed at middle school students in Casablanca.
Participants will create an artistic fanzine inspired by the magazine “Roya,” reflecting their experiences, perceptions, and visions of heritage. This initiative is part of the Foundation’s mission to encourage creativity, exploration, and the transmission of heritage values.
