Rabat – The 48th edition of the Salon du Livre de Montréal (SLM) opened on Wednesday in Canada’s largest French-speaking city, with Morocco joining the five-day literary celebration through a dedicated national presence.
Several Moroccan authors and publishing houses, including Éditions Bouregreg, Eventus, and Axions Communication represent the Kingdom. Their participation, coordinated by the Moroccan Cultural Center in Montreal (Dar Al Maghrib), aims to spotlight the plurality of Moroccan writing and the dynamism of its publishing ecosystem, both inside the country and within the diaspora.
At the Moroccan stand, visitors can discover a curated selection of works that reflect the country’s richness and contrasts. The books on display explore Morocco’s “luminous cities,” its living and tangible heritage, the diversity of its cultures, the finesse of its arts, and the majesty of its landscapes. Fiction, essays, children’s literature, and illustrated books sit side by side, offering a multi-layered portrait of contemporary Morocco.
A stand that reflects Morocco’s rich cultural landscape
The participation of Moroccan authors based in Quebec, alongside writers and publishers who have travelled from Morocco and other countries, creates a space for dialogue between different generations and geographies. It also reflects the growing role of Moroccan-Canadian voices in shaping literary exchanges across the Atlantic.
This year’s Montreal Book Fair, considered one of the most important literary events in North America, also features a major exhibition of fine art books, reinforcing the link between literature, visual arts, and design. In total, the SLM welcomes more than 2,000 authors and nearly 300 activities, ranging from talks and readings to professional meetings.
On the program, visitors can attend book signings, meet-and-greet sessions with authors, and roundtable discussions addressing themes such as identity, migration, climate, and the future of storytelling in French and beyond. For Moroccan participants, these encounters provide an opportunity to share their perspectives, expand their readership, and forge new editorial partnerships.
Last year, the Montreal Book Fair attracted close to 92,000 visitors. Organizers expect to surpass 95,000 attendees this year, confirming the event’s role as a major meeting point for readers, publishers, and creators.
For Morocco, this edition represents more than a simple participation in an international fair. It is a chance to strengthen cultural ties with the Moroccan community in Canada, introduce a wider audience to the country’s literary and artistic production, and affirm its place within the broader Francophone and global cultural scene.
