The International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL), with Sharjah as this year's guest of honor, is a renewed opportunity to strengthen the bridges of communication and cultural ties between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, said Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, on Friday in Rabat.
"The relationship between the UAE, and Sharjah in particular, with the Kingdom of Morocco, is not a recent one. It is rooted in a long-standing tradition of cultural exchange and the transmission of knowledge," Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasized, as quoted in a press release by the Sharjah Book Authority, on the sidelines of the opening of the 30th SIEL, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The great traveler Ibn Battuta, "who visited our region centuries ago, bore witness to the authenticity of heritage and the deeply rooted Arab values, which continue to bring us together today," she noted.
"Today, we still draw inspiration from the legacy of Ibn Battuta, from Al Quaraouiyine University, and from the contributions of Sharif Al-Idrissi, to build bridges of communication, culture, and brotherhood between our two countries, and to strengthen the fraternal ties that unite us through our cooperation," she continued.
Sharjah’s agenda features more than 50 events during the fair, including poetry readings, lectures, children’s workshops, and professional meetings with publishers from both countries. Over 18 Emirati institutions are taking part, presenting hundreds of publications.
Organizers said the initiative aims to boost translation efforts, publishing deals, and joint distribution. A special program targeting young readers is also being held in partnership with the UAE Board on Books for Young People and the "Kan Ya Ma Kan" initiative, using interactive formats to promote reading and Emirati heritage.
MAP: 18 avril 2025
