OPINION.
A few days ago we reported on the Casablanca International Book Fair - a really great event which runs from today until the 18th of February. Well, yesterday it was launched by the King's younger brother, the very charming Prince Moulay Rachid.
However, it was not the charming prince that caught my eye, but the promotional line used as the fair's motto - The Moroccan Creation: New Tendencies. Thrilling! Exciting! My heart pumping with anticipation! NOT. Now I don't know if it suffered in translation. Maybe it sounds particularly interesting in French or Arabic - but it was yet another time when a great event had a less than inspiring theme. For some reason the PR and publicity folks in Morocco tend to go for the uber-bland when it comes to themes. You have probably seen the kind of thing I am talking about. For example, a season of new plays: Dramaturgical Variances - Maghrebian thematics. Or... Diverging Tributaries; Semantic discourse, for a poetry reading. Now, I confess that I did make those up, but you get my drift. For the book fair, well, I would love to hear your suggestions. Go wild, email me!
Being serious again, (quoting from Maghreb Arabe Presse) according to organizers, this year's edition aims to index and analyse the new tendencies of creation in Morocco, while taking account of the changes that took place in the different fields of daily life.
With 600 exhibitors from 59 countries, the fair is meant to be a place of exchange and discovery in favour of the new generations of creators, initiators say, adding that the cultural event wants to promote the works of young writers in front of a large public. The 2007 edition includes meetings, round tables, shows, conferences, lectures, presentations and book signing ceremonies.
Prince Moulay Rachid also handed over the Morocco Book Award of 2006 offered in several categories, including "literary creation", "literary and artistic studies", and "translation". Hopefully next year there will be a category called - "Really exciting new books"!
Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
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