Rabat Celebrates Sharjah with the Raising of the UAE Flag at the Grand Opening of the Book and Publishing Fair

ALDAR/

In a remarkable cultural moment that combined the symbolism of the place with the depth of historical relations, the Moroccan capital, Rabat, witnessed the raising of the flag of the United Arab Emirates, marking the beginning of the 30th edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair. This year’s special guest of honor is the Emirate of Sharjah, a cultural tribute that reflects the strong ties between the two countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, and Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Ben Seddik. They participated in the official ribbon-cutting, marking the launch of Morocco’s largest cultural event, which will run until April 27.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi led a guided tour of Sharjah’s pavilion, which includes a wide representation of Emirati cultural and academic institutions, with official delegations from both countries in attendance. Visitors explored Sharjah’s intellectual and heritage initiatives, which reflect the emirate’s vision of building a society that places culture at the core of its developmental project.

The fair also featured an extensive tour by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, accompanied by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, which included visits to several Arab and international publishing houses, where the delegation reviewed the latest literary and scientific publications on display.

In a special evening hosted at the historic site of Chellah, the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication organized a formal dinner in honor of the Sharjah delegation. The event was attended by prominent cultural figures from both sides and served as an occasion to celebrate the cultural exchange between the two nations.

In her speech during the event, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi expressed her appreciation for the historical bonds that connect the UAE and Morocco, emphasizing that the relationship between Sharjah and the Kingdom of Morocco extends centuries of cultural interaction, citing the travels of Ibn Battuta, the heritage of Al Quaraouiyine University, and the contributions of Al-Idrisi in bridging the cultures of the East and West.

For his part, Minister Mohamed Mehdi Ben Seddik confirmed that Sharjah’s participation reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries. He considered this year’s edition of the fair a unique opportunity for the Moroccan audience to explore Sharjah’s rich cultural creativity, which is diverse in both its offerings and history.

Throughout the fair, Sharjah is offering more than 50 cultural activities, including poetry evenings, interactive workshops for children, and professional sessions bringing together publishers from both countries. Additionally, 18 Emirati cultural institutions are participating, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to supporting the publishing and knowledge movement on both Arab and international levels.

Through this event, Rabat not only opens the doors to an international fair but also renews a cultural pact with the UAE, affirming that the bridges of knowledge remain unbroken, regardless of the geographical distance, as long as hearts and minds continue to meet on the grounds of culture.