It is true that to have a point of view devoid of optimism, it is useless to question Yacine Retnani. He fought for too long for book and the literature to let anyone interfere with his enthusiasm. But we all want to believe it and the publisher/bookseller seems to have what it takes to stimulate a positive state of mind. “We are on the right path to making “Rabat world book capital 2026” a significant event, if we all get involved: professionals in the sector, public authorities and citizens. It doesn’t take much to give the book the place it rightfully deserves in the daily lives of people. Moroccans».
As evidenced by this, according to Retnani, the International publishing and book fair (SIEL) which, in just three editions in the capital, has recorded a 32% increase in the number of visitors. This success is, in part, due to the investments of the host city, but also to the capacity of the Ministry of Culture to adapt the event to international standards. “Today, the Rabat Salon has overtaken Paris in terms of attraction for international publishers,” he says.
Towards a literary Morocco
However, the ambition to make Rabat a real book capital should not be limited to city borders, nor to major events. Yacine Retnani hopes to see a multiplication of initiatives throughout the Moroccoto create a real explosion of literary culture. “I dream of seeing 4×3 billboards advertising books in the streets, of the creation of prestigious literary prizes and of traveling events organized in the most remote regions,” he confides. Retnani also mentions the importance of creating events around reading in associations for disadvantaged children, in order to make books accessible to all. This is the benefit of all book professionals, including authors who should give their time to reach the public.
For the publisher, Rabat can be the starting point for a real cultural transformation which would flow throughout the country and even reach Africa. “We must drag Africa in our wake and make Morocco a model for the development of books and reading,” he specifies. “I am also personally invested in the upcoming creation of an African literature fair in Casablanca, in partnership with public and private actors,” he adds, enthusiastically.
A necessary recovery
Despite the known economic challenges facing publishing houses, Yacine Retnani welcomes recent advances, particularly in terms of copyright. In fact, writers now benefit from 15% of the subsidies granted to the publishing of their works. “This is a step forward to improve the status and remuneration of writers. This measure will force publishers to share the aid received, it is an essential gesture to support literary creation,” he notes.
However, other challenges remain, particularly with regard to piracy which is eating away at the book sector. And it is in his capacity as a bookseller this time that Yacine Retnani is alarmed. Although this reflects the existence of a reading public, it warns of the harmful effects of this phenomenon on the book economy and on the survival of booksellers. Moreover, the Association of Independent Moroccan Booksellers (ALIM), of which he is a member, continues to point out the urgency of putting in place more effective protection mechanisms. “If few Moroccan books are pirated, foreign books are sold in large numbers. “It’s deadly for booksellers who, like me, have made the difficult but accepted choice not to make school books and to promote literature exclusively,” he explains.
Youth at the heart of change
If the International Youth Book Fair has not yet proven itself, Yacine Retnani already sees it as an encouraging sign for the future of books in Morocco. “Please note that we have already seen the birth of a few youth publishing houses in addition to the already existing publishing houses which are beginning to take an interest in this sector. Our young people read fantasy and science fiction. It’s a huge market that we must develop,” says Retnani, who urges authors to take more interest in this key target, to develop the reading of Moroccan literature.
Furthermore, the integration of new technologies in the editorial sector is another avenue for development. During the recent Cultural and Creative Industries Conference, discussions on artificial intelligence and publishing aroused great interest. “These technologies could enrich our catalogs and speed up editorial processes. But we must also remain vigilant in the face of fraudulent uses of these tools,” concludes the publisher, who insists on the need to jump on the bandwagon of global development in the field of books and publishing.
