HIBAPRESS – Ahmed Al-Musa'id
The organizing committee of the fifth edition of the Maghreb Book Fair "Maghreb Literature" in Oujda announced the successful conclusion of the edition, which was held under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, between October 7 and 12, under the slogan "To dwell in the world and write it."
In a press conference held yesterday, Sunday, October 12, to present the fair's results, Al-Kabeer Hano, director of the development sector at the Oriental Region Development Agency, revealed that the fifth edition attracted more than 60,000 visitors, thus recording a new record that far exceeds the results of the previous edition of 2024, which recorded about 50,000 visitors.
Hano pointed to the qualitative density of the program, as about 20 round tables were organized with the participation of Moroccan and foreign intellectuals, which addressed in-depth discussions about the axes of the edition's slogan. The "Youth Space" also witnessed great demand, as it received about 18,000 young people from Oujda and the Oriental region, who enjoyed the freedom to choose activities that suit their interests.
On the level of openness to educational and societal institutions, the exhibition received students from 112 educational institutions. Cultural activities extended "outside the walls" to include the organization of three workshops inside the local prison in Oujda, where three writers interacted with the inmates, in addition to lectures given in universities and educational institutions, and an accompanying artistic exhibition.
Regarding the economic mobility of the sector, Hano explained that the participating publishing houses were able to sell approximately 40 percent of the books on display. The edition was also distinguished by the signing and display of more than 60 books, including 90% of the writers of the Oriental region, in addition to special signing sessions for students who have completed literary works.
For his part, Mohamed Imbarki, the fair's president and general director of the Oriental Region Development Agency, praised the great success achieved by this edition, stressing the general satisfaction with the quality of programming, the level of participation, the density of attendance and discussions. Imbarki pointed out that this huge cultural event, which attracted intellectuals and publishers from various countries of the world, was "successful on several levels," especially in establishing a space for open and in-depth dialogue without any restrictions on freedom of thought.
Imbarki also emphasized the rich experience accumulated by the organizers, stressing the continuation of work on addressing shortcomings, improving the event, ensuring its continuity, and working to give it an increasing international dimension.
The Maghreb Book Fair has established its position as a prominent platform for intellectual and creative dialogue, with the participation of a select group of writers, researchers, and novelists from Morocco, African, Arab, and European countries, and the United States of America, which contributed to consolidating the radiance of the city of Oujda as a "capital of books and reading," and strengthening the pioneering cultural role of Morocco in the Maghreb and Euro-Mediterranean space.
