Casablanca. The second edition of the International Children's and Youth Book Fair (SILEJ) officially opened its doors on Saturday, December 14 at Parc Anfa in Casablanca. Organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this event will take place until December 22.
The fair, initiated by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in collaboration with the local authorities of Casablanca, offers a platform for exchanges between writers and young readers, while highlighting the importance of reading for children.
This year's edition welcomes Wallonia-Brussels (Belgium) as guest of honor, highlighting the historic cultural relations between the two regions. At the same time, SILEJ aims to promote Casablanca as an economic hub and international cultural destination, while establishing an annual tradition that positions the metropolis among the rare cities in the world to host a fair dedicated exclusively to children's literature.
This second edition, which aims to capitalize on the success of the first, also presents itself as a lever to encourage the book industry, particularly that devoted to childhood and youth, by offering young Moroccans access to a variety literary resources. A rich and diverse program has been designed for the occasion, including interactive workshops, seminars, and shows.
An international success
This second edition brings together 340 publishing houses from 29 countries, who came to exhibit a wide range of publications covering different areas of knowledge.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid. In a statement to the press, he underlined the importance of this event in supporting young people's growing interest in reading.
“This fair, very appreciated by the people of Casablanca, plays a crucial role in promoting reading among children and young people, particularly at a time marked by unprecedented enthusiasm for new technologies,” he declared.
A notable participation from Wallonia-Brussels
The minister also highlighted the ministry's efforts to support publishers in the publication of Moroccan books and tales featuring local heroes and promoting the tangible and intangible heritage of the Kingdom, in order to make these works accessible to all.
Chiraz El Fassi, General Delegate of Wallonia-Brussels in Morocco, for her part welcomed the opportunity of this participation as guest of honor. “This allows us to celebrate the historical ties and cultural cooperation that unite us in Morocco. We are delighted to present to visitors the rich cultural heritage of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, as well as the works of our authors,” she declared.
A varied program for adults and especially children
SILEJ 2024 offers a dense cultural program with 7 activity spaces hosting a total of 405 workshops, or an average of 45 workshops per day. Added to this are 66 cultural activities dedicated to young painters and writers to introduce them to the book industry.
In addition, workshops and training sessions are offered to executives of the Ministry of National Education to improve the management of school libraries. A series of awareness programs are also organized at the pavilions of participating institutions.
With this ambitious edition, SILEJ confirms its role as a driving force for the culture of books and reading, while offering a unique space for meetings and exchanges to inspire future generations. The salon opens its doors from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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