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

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Presides Over the Opening of the 31st International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL) in Rabat

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

The Crown Prince’s opening of this international fair serves as a renewed demonstration of the profound care and benevolence with which His Majesty the King, may God bless him, surrounds the cultural sector. It reflects the Sovereign’s unwavering commitment to promote various cultural manifestations and expressions, with the primary goal of building a knowledgeable, open, and prosperous society.

During his visit, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan toured various stands at the fair, including that of the French Republic, the honored guest for this 31st edition, celebrating the historical and cultural ties that unite Morocco and this friendly nation. This occasion further reinforces the dynamic of multidimensional cooperation propelled by the exceptional partnership established under the initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God elevate him, and President Emmanuel Macron.

His Royal Highness also visited the stand of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the exhibit dedicated to this year’s theme, "Ibn Battuta and the Narrative of Travel," along with the stands of the National Observatory for Children’s Rights, the Mohammed VI Foundation for People with Disabilities, the publishing house "Dar El Amane," and that of Palestine.

Furthermore, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan explored the stands of the Alaouite Organization for the Promotion of the Blind in Morocco, the "Librarie des Ecoles" group, the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, and the space dedicated to "The Little Prince."

Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication (Department of Culture) in partnership with the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, and the Municipality 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 recognition reflects the city’s rich historical heritage and embodies the Royal Vision aimed at establishing Rabat as a City of Light and the Moroccan capital of culture.

The fair features participation from 891 exhibitors, comprising 321 direct and 570 indirect participants from Morocco and 60 other Arab, African, European, Asian, and American countries. A diverse and rich documentary collection is on display, spanning all fields of knowledge and various forms of creativity and scholarship, with over 130,000 titles and more than 3 million copies available.

This edition, themed "Ibn Battuta and the Narrative of Travel," notably honors Ibn Battuta, a 14th-century Moroccan scholar and great traveler, whose timeless and exceptional journeys promoted a worldview based on mutual knowledge, understanding, and peace across borders, cultures, and languages.

The allure of the fair, already recognized internationally, positions Rabat – City of Light and Moroccan cultural capital – as a premier global destination for literature and thought. For ten days, it will host key figures in the sector, intellectuals, and creators from diverse backgrounds, facilitating a human experience that intertwines self-building with knowledge of others.

The cultural program for this 31st edition will include contributions from numerous Moroccan and foreign researchers and writers, and the participation of hundreds of speakers through various thematic colloquia, conferences, poetry evenings, and presentations of new publications. Tributes will also be paid to notable Moroccan literary figures who have left their mark on history since the 9th century.

Children are also a focus, with the "Little Prince" space, a universal work by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, offering an immersive program dedicated to younger audiences, designed as an invitation to travel, discovery, and imagination.

Upon his arrival at the International Book and Publishing Fair, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan reviewed a detachment of the Royal Guard rendering honors. He was then greeted by Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Madame Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture of the French Republic, the guest of honor at the fair; and Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, the French Ambassador to Morocco.

His Royal Highness was also welcomed by Mr. Mohamed Yacoubi, Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region and Governor of Rabat Prefecture; Mr. Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council; Madame 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 Madame Ghyslaine Derrous, General Commissioner of SIEL.