SIEL 2026: More than 500,000 visitors

Some 502,000 people of all ages visited the 31st International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL), which closed on Sunday, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication announced.

The success of this edition, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, establishes SIEL as a major international cultural event and further consolidates Rabat’s status as World Book Capital 2026, the ministry said in a statement.

Organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Rabat‑Salé‑Kénitra region, the event (30 April–10 May) highlighted SIEL’s ability to “strengthen its international appeal and offer a documentary and cultural programme that meets public expectations, as evidenced by the strong turnout at this major cultural event,” according to the same source.

The choice of France as guest of honour marks a new chapter in the long‑standing and multidimensional relations between Morocco and France, particularly cultural ties that draw their richness and depth from the shared foundations of the two countries’ cultures.

This edition brought together 891 exhibitors, both direct and indirect, representing more than 60 countries, with a documentary collection exceeding 135,000 titles and a total number of copies approaching 3 million.

In terms of cultural programming, Ibn Battuta was selected as the central figure of this edition, in recognition of the impact of this Moroccan figure on world culture through his famous journeys.

The spaces dedicated to cultural activities hosted more than 300 sessions, offering a comprehensive overview of a wide range of intellectual and creative issues, with particular attention to new publications enriching Morocco’s bibliographic corpus across different fields of knowledge.

The programme also featured the participation of internationally renowned figures from the spheres of thought, research and creation.

Moreover, tributes were paid to a number of creators and researchers who have left a lasting mark on Morocco’s cultural landscape, alongside events dedicated to emerging talents, for whom the fair serves as a genuine platform to gain visibility and engage with readers.

Along the same lines, visitors attended cultural programmes organised by the pavilions of public institutions and bodies, as well as participating publishing houses, with more than 2,300 activities including seminars, professional meetings, book signings, creative readings and training workshops.

As for the educational offer for children and young people, this edition featured two dedicated spaces: one focused on discovering the travels of Ibn Battuta and the theme of travel across cultures, and the other devoted to the literary masterpiece The Little Prince. These two spaces hosted reading and creative workshops aimed at fostering an early connection between children and the world of books.