International events: Morocco mounts a Publishing and Book Fair

The 16^th International Publishing and Book Fair opened today in a business and economic capital of Morocco - Casablanca. This year the event, organized under the patronage of the King Mohammed VI, brought together 720 publishers from 38 Arab countries, Africa, Europe and America.

Among the participants of the event is Russia. A large stand has been prepared by the efforts of the Russian Center of Science and Culture in Rabat, which has displayed about 260 books at the Fair. These are fiction, works of famous publicists and historians, books for children, textbooks etc. Nikolai Sukhov, the Russian Center of Science and Culture Director is convinced that the level of the fair’s organization and decoration has considerably improved in the recent years. He claims that the organizers have achieved great accomplishments in the book forum’s organization. It is worth mentioning, that this time the event’s organizers have provided an area of 25,000 square metres.

According to the organizers, the fair will not just display the prints. Its visitors and guests of honour will have a chance to enjoy the performance of musical bands, theatrical companies, and comedians. The fair will also attract world-famous writers – the recipient of the Prix Goncourt, the Moroccan poet and novelist Tahar ben Jelloun, and also the Famous French prose writer and publicist Frédéric Beigbeder.

The fair’s program will include seminars and round tables with Moroccan and International experts. Participants will discuss a wide range of issues, among them are "Political Islam and Democracy", "Future of the Mediterranean collaboration", "Philosophy and Literature in modern Morocco".

The Casablanca International Fair will finish on February, 21.