Spanish literature celebrated in Fes

Fes hosts, from 23 to 26 April, illustrious Moroccan and foreign men of letters on the occasion of the sixth edition of the Mediterranean Book Festival.

Organised by the "Book Club in Morocco" Foundation in partnership with, among others, the communal council of Fes, the Ministry of Culture, the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University in Fes and the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, this literary event aims to promote literary production, encourage reading and increase public interest in books. Concerning the specificities of this edition, Abdelhak Souitat, director of the festival, made it known during the press conference presenting this literary event, organised on 9 April in Fes, that the festival will honour this year the common civilisational heritage that has linked the city of Fes and Andalusia for several centuries. "This cultural event will constitute, this year, an opportunity to discuss the different facets of Andalusian literature which has been largely influenced by the Andalusian heritage and to revive the spirit of Al-Andalus as a model of tolerance and dialogue between peoples, by highlighting its historical and cultural aspects", he explained. Taking stock of the programme for this sixth edition, Mourad Kadiri, member of the scientific committee of the Book Club in Morocco Foundation, for his part, specified that it is a rich and varied menu that has been concocted for the public. Thus, in addition to book signings, the festival plans exhibitions, musical shows and poetry readings this year. The scientific component also occupies a place of choice in the festival's programming, with round tables dedicated to themes such as "Fes and Andalusia: a common history", "Moroccan and Spanish literatures: open dialogue", or even "development of public reading". Furthermore, this edition of the Mediterranean Book Festival of Fes will be marked by the awarding of prizes to the winners of the second edition of the University Literary Creation Competition, open to university students and students of higher education establishments, aged 18 to 35. Organised by the Book Club in Morocco Foundation, this competition will reward the best university literary works in the fields of poetry, short stories and translation. Another highlight of the festival, the tribute that will be paid to the former president of the Andalusian Heritage Foundation, the Spaniard Jéronimo Paez Lopez. The Fes International Prize for Creativity will be awarded on this occasion to this thinker, academician and historian, in recognition of his remarkable contribution to Moroccan-Spanish cultural dialogue.

Provider / Source : Le Matin