HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presides over the opening of the 31st International Salon of Publishing and Book in Rabat.

HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Opens 31st International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat

On Thursday, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided over the opening of the 31st International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL) at the OLM-Souissi space in Rabat. The event runs from May 1 to 10 and is held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him.

The inauguration of this international fair by His Royal Highness stands as a renewed testament to the deep care and benevolence His Majesty the King, may God preserve him, consistently extends to the cultural domain. It reflects the Sovereign’s strong commitment to promote various cultural expressions and activities, with the primary aim of building a society rooted in knowledge that is both open and prosperous.

On this occasion, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan visited several stands at the fair, including the French Republic’s pavilion, the guest of honor for this 31st edition. This participation celebrates the historic and cultural ties that bind Morocco to this friendly nation and underscores the multi-dimensional cooperation fostered by the exceptional partnership established under the initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God glorify him, and President Emmanuel Macron.

His Royal Highness also visited the stand of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, as well as the one dedicated to this year’s theme: "Ibn Battuta and the Art of Travel." He explored various other stands, including those of the National Observatory for Children’s Rights, the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Disabled, the publishing house "Dar El Amane," and the Palestinian representation.

Additionally, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan toured the stands of the Alawite Organization for the Promotion of the Blind in Morocco, the "Librairie des Ecoles" group, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, and "Le Petit Prince" space.

Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Cultural Department) in partnership with the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, and the Commune of Rabat, this year’s SIEL coincides with UNESCO’s designation of Rabat as the World Book Capital for 2026 (April 2026 – April 2027). This honor recognizes the city’s rich historical heritage and brings to fruition the Royal Vision aimed at establishing Rabat as a Cultural Capital of Morocco.

The fair features participation from 891 exhibitors, comprising 321 direct exhibitors and 570 indirect ones, representing Morocco and 60 countries from various regions including Arab, African, European, Asian, and American. A rich and diverse documentary collection is showcased, covering all fields of knowledge and various forms of creativity, boasting over 130,000 titles and more than 3 million copies.

This edition, themed "Ibn Battuta and the Art of Travel," highlights the legacy of Ibn Battuta, a 14th-century Moroccan scholar and traveler who, through his timeless and exceptional journeys, promoted a vision of the world founded on mutual understanding, knowledge, and peace, transcending boundaries, cultures, and languages.

Following the established international appeal of the fair, Rabat—The City of Light, the Cultural Capital of Morocco—serves as a prime global destination for books and intellectual discourse, welcoming stakeholders, intellectuals, and creators from diverse backgrounds for ten days of human experience that fosters self-discovery and knowledge of others.

The cultural program for this 31st edition will feature contributions from numerous Moroccan and international researchers and writers, alongside the participation of hundreds of speakers through various thematic symposia, literary evenings, direct meetings, and book launches. Tributes will also be paid to Moroccan literary figures whose contributions have left a profound imprint on history since the 9th century.

Children are not overlooked, with the "Le Petit Prince" area—an immersive program inspired by the universal work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry—offering specialized activities aimed at young audiences, serving as an invitation to journey into imagination and discovery.

Upon his arrival at the International Book and Publishing Fair, HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was greeted by a Royal Guard detachment rendering honors, before being welcomed by Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Ms. Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture of the French Republic, the guest of honor at the fair; and Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, the French ambassador to Rabat.

His Royal Highness was also met by Mr. Mohamed Yacoubi, Governor of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region; Mr. Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council; Ms. Fatiha El Moudni, President of the Municipal Council; Mr. Abdelaziz Driouich, President of the Prefectural Council; Mr. Adil El Atrassi, President of the Souissi District Council; Mr. Salah-Eddine Abkari, Acting Secretary-General of the Culture Department of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication; and Ms. Ghyslaine Derrous, General Commissioner of SIEL.