Rabat – Morocco’s recent cultural strategies have been very keen on introducing the country, and mainly Rabat, to an era of reading sensitization.

These measures came as Rabat was officially labelled as UNESCO World Book Capital 2026, for her thriving literary contributions.

Since then, many programs have been encouraged to improve the literacy rate among all age groups, especially young people.

In an interview with MWN Lifestyle, the author of “Shortly Before Death“ and member of the Reading Network In Morocco (RLM) Fatima Yacin spoke about reading proficiency, why young people are reading less, and what are we doing about it.

Promoting reading for teens and children is not as easy as it sounds

To establish a cohesive bond between reading and the uprising generations, the author explains how the approach of each age group differs from the other.

“In childhood, reading is approached with adult supervision.” She said, “But as the child grows older, the role of adults becomes less about supervision and more about suggesting, leaving much freedom of choice.”

Adults, mainly parents, hold a great responsibility in promoting reading, the author explained.

“If reading is not a widespread activity within the family, it’ll be more challenging. For not all parents take time to ensure their children’s serious engagement with books”

A declining reading rate

When talking about the big challenges threatening the reading scene in Morocco, Yacin agreed on putting screens very high on her suspects list.

“We can’t deny that strong attraction to screens is a straight giveaway to the reading decline,” Yacin says,”But it’s also important to not overlook the exaggerated prices of books, the non-functional libraries in schools and universities, and the outdated structure.”

For the author, libraries should stop containing mere antic books, and start providing what suits this generation and what’s willing to read.

”Many public institutions, alongside civil society organizations, have been collectively engaging in promoting reading as a fun activity. It’s a promising start.”

RLM‘s contributions towards a Morocco that reads more

Yacin has mentioned numerous civil initiatives the network launches annually to promote reading and improve literacy rate nationally.

“The National Reading Competition is considered the network’s flagship initiative, carried out through local, regional, and then national eliminations, and covering multiple age groups.”

Instead of solely focusing on the readers, the author suggested focusing on the other board too; the writers.

“There is also the Moroccan Book Award, which honors a Moroccan published book  every year. In addition to reading programs in summer camps, and reading clubs in educational institutions. As well as holding seminars and forums.”

Last advice to make reading scene in Morocco more appealing

Unlike many other activists in this field, Yacin calls for a modern approach.

“I think reading is now practiced in several non-traditional ways,” she said.

“While most people think the popularity of reading paper books has declined, it opens the door to more digital age-friendly ways of reading, such as audiobooks and e-books.”

Although the ebooks would never equal the feeling of engaging with physical books, in an unstable industry, compromising may be the only way out.

“Every form of reading is reading. For the ends matter more than the means.”