Fez — Rabat is set to host the 31st edition of the Rabat International Book Fair (SIEL) from April 30 to May 10 with France selected as guest of honor, Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication – Culture Department announced on Friday.
The event will take place at OLM Souissi, one of the capital’s main cultural and event venues, and will coincide with a year of major literary programming tied to Rabat’s designation as UNESCO World Book Capital 2026.
A central event in Rabat’s World Book Capital year
According to the ministry’s statement, the upcoming SIEL edition forms part of a broader national cultural calendar marking Rabat’s global recognition as a city dedicated to books, reading, and publishing throughout 2026.
The fair is expected to serve as one of the flagship events of that designation, bringing together publishers, writers, researchers, and cultural institutions from Morocco and abroad. The ministry noted that the 2026 program will reflect both Morocco’s literary heritage and its contemporary publishing landscape.
France named guest of honor
France’s designation as guest of honor underscores longstanding cultural and literary ties between Rabat and Paris, particularly in publishing, translation, and academic exchange. The guest-of-honor program traditionally includes a dedicated pavilion, curated discussions, author appearances, and cultural events highlighting the invited country’s literary scene.
French participation is expected to focus on dialogue between Francophone and Arabic-language publishing, as well as exchanges around translation, youth literature, and the future of books in the digital age.
Tribute to Ibn Battuta
The 31st edition of SIEL will also pay tribute to Ibn Battuta, one of Morocco’s most iconic historical figures. Born in Tangier in the 14th century, Ibn Battuta is widely regarded as one of the greatest travelers in history, having journeyed across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Europe.
Honoring Ibn Battuta aligns with the fair’s broader focus on travel, knowledge exchange, and cultural curiosity, themes that resonate with Rabat’s role as a crossroads of civilizations and ideas.
Registration now open for participants
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication announced that applications to participate in the fair are open until February 10. Interested publishers, institutions, and exhibitors can submit their requests through online registration on the official SIEL website.
The ministry said the digital registration process is intended to streamline participation and ensure broad representation from Morocco and abroad.
SIEL’s growing international profile
Over the past three decades, SIEL has become one of the leading book fairs in the Arab world and Africa, drawing thousands of visitors each year. Recent editions have expanded programming to include youth-focused activities, professional publishing forums, and debates on freedom of expression, reading habits, and cultural policy.
With Rabat entering 2026 as World Book Capital, this year’s SIEL is expected to carry added symbolic and international weight, positioning the Moroccan capital as a key hub for literary dialogue across languages, regions, and generations.
