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Marrakech – English literature in Morocco took center stage at the Costa Goldex Morocco 2024 Awards during the Marrakech English Book Festival. The event celebrated Moroccan writers, both seasoned and budding, and proved that English storytelling is booming in the country.
The Costa Goldex Awards recognize established authors, while the Young Writer’s Prize celebrates emerging talents.
Mhani Alaoui, author of “The House on Butterfly Street”, took home the first prize. She described her win as “a privilege and a chance to share stories that matter” in an exclusive interview with Morocco World News.
Mhani’s novel, set in present-day Casablanca, follows Nadine’s search for a missing woman and her child, Noor, born out of wedlock. The book explores Morocco’s slave-holding past, women’s rights, and modern social issues. “By confronting our history, I aim to highlight how it shapes our present,” Mhani told MWN.
Mhani writes in English because it feels “natural” after years of studying and living in the US. She credits English’s global reach for allowing her to connect with diverse ideas. “Writing in English gives me the freedom to tell stories that resonate both locally and globally,” she explained.
Her book is co-published in Morocco by Khbar Bladna and is available at Bloom Books in Casablanca.
Rania Alami, a 17-year-old student from Biogra near Agadir, won the Young Writer’s Prize. Her fantasy stories explore resilience and personal growth. “Fantasy lets me create worlds where anything is possible,” she said to MWN.
Rania, who began writing at age 10, says English helps her express herself more clearly. “Writing is my way of organizing my thoughts and letting my imagination run free,” she added.
Her stories are available through the Moroccan Library Project and Olive Seed Foundation. She’s currently working on her first full-length story, which she hopes to publish next year.
The Marrakech English Book Festival also crowned Ghita Ayasse Ouamane for her story “Beneath the Table”, Rim Berrada for The “Impact of Socioeconomics on Youth Opportunities”, and Ghizlane Derouich for “Weaving a Life.”
Writers from across Morocco submitted their works in the early stages of the competition, and a panel of authors, lecturers, and essayists carefully selected the winners.
The festival’s president, Yassine Adnane, said the event celebrates Morocco’s growing community of English writers. “We needed a space to bring together writers and readers who share a passion for English literature,” he told MWN.
Through these awards, Adnane wants to “encourage Moroccans to write in English and show there’s a readership for these stories.”
English literature is still gaining ground in Morocco, and young writers are leading the charge with stories that connect Moroccan culture with the world. Readers can explore their works and more at the Marrakech English Book Festival.
The festival helped writers build bridges between Morocco and the world through the power of words.
