SIEL: Growing Enthusiasm for Books and Parallel Cultural Activities, According to Bensaid
The International Salon of Publishing and Book (SIEL) Sees Growing Enthusiasm for Literature and Cultural Activities
Every year, the International Salon of Publishing and Book (SIEL) experiences a growing enthusiasm for literature and related cultural activities, stated Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, on Thursday in Rabat.
In a press statement following the official opening of SIEL, presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, the minister noted that book sales during the last edition of the Salon surpassed 100 million dirhams, highlighting the public’s significant interest in this major cultural event.
Furthermore, Bensaid emphasized that France’s selection as the guest of honor for this edition aims to strengthen cultural exchange between the two countries, recalling Morocco’s participation as the guest of honor at the Paris Book Festival in 2025.
Additionally, Bensaid asserted that the 31st edition of SIEL offers an opportunity to showcase French publishers in Morocco and shine a light on the creations of Moroccan intellectuals living in France, given the strong cultural presence of the Moroccan diaspora in that country.
This year, the Salon features the participation of 891 exhibitors from Morocco and 60 countries across the Arab world, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. A rich and diverse documentary fund is being presented, covering a wide range of knowledge fields and various forms of creative expression, with over 130,000 titles and more than 3 million copies available.
