Rabat: As Morocco takes center stage at this year’s Paris Book Festival (April 11-13), French Culture Minister Rachida Dati praised the “strength” and “vitality” of the Kingdom’s literary landscape on Wednesday evening, just ahead of the event’s official opening at the Grand Palais. “Starting tomorrow, we will celebrate the strength and, above all, the vitality of Morocco’s literary and publishing scene,” Dati emphasized, speaking alongside Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, during a reception held in honor of the Kingdom.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the reception, held in the prestigious salons of the French Ministry of Culture, was attended by Moroccan Ambassador to France Samira Sitail. It brought together prominent cultural figures from both countries, including authors, publishers, intellectuals, actors, musicians, and other Moroccan and French personalities. The French Minister highlighted the cultural friendship between France and Morocco, inviting all those across cultural sectors to sustain this relationship.
The French Minister also praised Morocco’s commitment to culture, highlighting the support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Dati recalled a decision made by His Majesty Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron in October to “write together a new chapter in our shared history.” She noted that this commitment has strengthened the partnership, with culture being central to this historic moment.
Dati expressed enthusiasm for strengthening ties and building a community together, enabling the emergence of a new cultural scene, a hyphenated Franco-Moroccan one. Proud of her Moroccan roots, Dati described immigration as an extraordinary opportunity for both France and Morocco, mentioning the upcoming Mediterranean Season event by the French Institute.
Morocco’s culture minister, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, described the Paris Book Festival as embodying “the unbreakable bond” based on shared language and dialogue of memories. He emphasized that Franco-Moroccan friendship represents an alternative future, where shared history and challenges become opportunities for cultural investment.
Bensaid highlighted Morocco’s cultural efforts under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, aligning with France’s vision to “write a book together” with Morocco. He concluded that the Franco-Moroccan friendship represents a vision for the two continents, rooted in the past but committed to a future of friendship and culture.