On Saturday, the activities of the International Children's and Youth Book Fair were inaugurated at the Anfa Park space in Casablanca, in its third edition, which hosts the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as the guest of honor.
This edition, organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in partnership with the Council of the Casablanca-Settat region, the Prefecture of the Casablanca-Settat region, and the Casablanca Municipality Council, offers a rich and diverse collection of children's and youth books, covering multiple areas and types of creative expression, with over 45,000 books.
A total of 357 exhibitors representing 28 countries, including 86 direct exhibitors and 271 indirect exhibitors, are participating in this edition, which continues until November 16th. This year's edition is also distinguished by the participation of UNICEF as the guest of honor, a choice that reflects the contribution of the Kingdom of Morocco, along with this UN organization, in promoting the rights and well-being of children around the world, especially their right to access knowledge.
On the other hand, the exhibition provides a space dedicated to the guest of honor in this edition, "The Little Prince," the central character in the world novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which he created in the Moroccan Sahara. This thematic space allows visitors to discover the work, its author, and the universal values it carries.
On this occasion, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, confirmed in a press statement that the International Children's and Youth Book Fair is an essential platform for encouraging reading among young generations and enhancing the presence of the Moroccan book in the national and international cultural scene.
He added that the Ministry is constantly working to encourage reading from a young age, considering that learning about Morocco's history, heritage, and intangible culture is primarily acquired through books.
The Minister also highlighted the role of Moroccan publishers, who create new publications every year, and are committed, along with the Ministry, to making children's books accessible to Moroccan families.
On the other hand, Mr. Bensaid pointed out that the development of books and reading is linked to the dynamism of cultural industries, emphasizing that all artistic creations – whether in cinema, music, or video games – stem from writing and reading.
In this regard, he called for the strengthening of libraries and local bookstores to make culture accessible to all citizens.
For her part, the representative of UNICEF in Morocco, Laura Bill, expressed her pride in the organization's participation as the guest of honor in this year's edition of the exhibition, considering it an appreciation of the long-standing partnership between UNICEF and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
She confirmed that this presence falls within the framework of preparations for World Children's Day, which is celebrated on November 20th, adding that books and reading are essential means for raising awareness and introducing children's rights and sensitizing citizens to their importance.
Ms. Bill reiterated UNICEF's commitment to continue its efforts in the field of protecting children's rights, calling on young people to actively participate in promoting these values through culture and reading.
This edition features the participation of researchers, authors, and creators from Morocco and abroad, whose works fall within the field of children's literature, as part of the cultural program. Workshops on comics, content creation, and creative writing will also be organized.
In parallel, eight spaces will host 17 corners, workshops and activities aimed at children and youth, which are events that aim to enhance the connection of children and youth with books, and provide them with knowledge in aesthetic forms that help them acquire scientific and literary skills, and stimulate them to innovate and create.
With over 80 cultural meetings and 1363 anticipated activities, this edition aims to enhance the position of the International Children's and Youth Book Fair as a reference international cultural event, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to enriching the cultural offerings of the economic capital and placing youth and culture at the heart of public policy.
(MAP)
