Rabat – Anfa Park’s international children’s book fair is back, and will open its doors in Casablanca from December 14 to 22, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication has announced.
The fair, which is only in its second year, is set to host 29 countries with 340 publishers. Belgium’s Wallonia-Brussels is the special guest.
The first year was a success and boosted Casablanca’s reputation as a cultural and economic hub, the press release notes.
This year, organizers aim to take this event to the next level, and turn it into a must-see event for children and teens.
The fair isn’t just about browsing books – it’s also about creativity and learning.
Seven activity zones inside the venue will host 405 workshops throughout the week – that’s about 45 each day. Plus, there will be another four spaces which will host 66 cultural events.
What’s more, there will also be talks, workshops, and training sessions for budding writers and illustrators.
During recent years, Morocco has come a long way when it comes to youth literacy.
Nearly every young person in the country between 15 and 24 can read and write. It’s a significant development from just a few years ago when the rate was slightly lower at 98%.
But looking at the bigger picture, there’s still much work to do.
There’s a big literacy gap between city and rural areas, and between boys and girls. For example, in the past, many secondary school-aged girls in rural areas didn’t attend school – almost half of them – compared to just over a third of boys.
So, while Morocco is making big strides in tackling illiteracy, there’s still more to be done to make sure everyone has the chance to read, write, and thrive.
