The “Letters from the Maghreb” Book Fair in Oujda highlights the city’s role as a hub for cultural decentralization (official)

Rabat – The “Letters from the Maghreb” Book Fair in Oujda highlights the city’s role as a hub for territorial justice and cultural decentralization, stated Ghizlane Drouss, Director of Books, Libraries, and Archives at the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports – Department of Culture, on Tuesday in Rabat.

In a statement during a meeting dedicated to presenting the program for the 6th edition of the Book Fair, Ms. Drouss emphasized that this event, organized from October 27 to November 1 under the theme “Reinventing a Shared World,” constitutes a unique cultural experience combining regional and international dimensions.

The choice of this theme reflects an awareness of current global challenges, including issues related to climate and living together, she explained, adding that culture and books remain true bridges for better understanding between peoples.

She also emphasized the role of this cultural event in promoting the book industry, through the creation of an interactive space that brings writers and readers closer together, thanks to the support and commitment of institutional actors and civil society.

For his part, the director of the development division at the Oriental Agency, El Kebir Hannou, noted that the Book Fair offers a rich program of 23 roundtables, featuring thinkers and writers from different continents, in addition to spaces dedicated to publishers and literary cafés.

Recalling the remarkable international enthusiasm generated by the Book Fair, with over 60 applications received from foreign writers, Mr. Hannou highlighted the Fair’s outreach to the wider community through the organization of conferences and the provision of spaces for young people under international supervision.

Addressing the social dimension of the event, he noted that this initiative also includes organizing meetings between authors and inmates at the local prison, in addition to artistic and visual arts activities aimed at promoting reading and critical thinking.

The 6th edition of the “Letters from the Maghreb” Book Fair is organized by the Oriental Development Agency (ADO), in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, the Wilaya of the Oriental Region, the Regional Council, the Municipality of Oujda, Mohammed Premier University, the Regional Academy of Education and Training, and the Moroccan Foundation for the Promotion of Preschool Education.