Morocco has been named the guest of honor at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair that is now under way from November 6 to 17 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Morocco’s News Agency reported.
This year’s fair celebrates Morocco’s vast literary and cultural legacy through exhibits, seminars, and sessions featuring a distinguished group of philosophers, thinkers, and writers.
Speaking at a press conference, Morocco’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Tazi, said the choice of Morocco as the guest of honor reflects the “long-standing relationship [Morocco has] with Sharjah and the UAE.”
“This year, Morocco aims to leave a positive impact through a carefully curated agenda prepared by our Ministry of Culture and Communication,” he added.
Among the notable Moroccan attendees are the first woman university president of Morocco, sociologist Rahma Bourqia; child psychologist Mubarak Rabi; International Booker Prize winner Mohammed Achaari; historian Jamaa Baida; poet Latifa Miftah; philosopher Abdellah Belkeziz; and author Abdessalam Benabdelali, recipient of the Sultan Al Owais Award for Human Studies.
Under the theme “It starts with a book,” this year’s fair will host 2,520 publishers from 112 countries and feature 400 authors signing their latest works.
The book fair is one of the largest in the world. It is held annually at the Sharjah Expo. It is a major literary event attracting millions of visitors and featuring diverse literary events, books, and authors from around the world.
Morocco’s participation as a guest of honor in this years’ Sharjah International Bookfair reflects the excellent historic relations between the two countries.
The late King Hassan II and late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan first initiated UAE-Morocco diplomatic relations in 1985. They have since been renewed and strengthened by King Mohammed VI and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.