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Rabat — In the coastal city of El Jadida, where traditional Moroccan culture meets Atlantic breezes, an unlikely literary journey began. Walid Ettouhami Rabihi, a former slot technician turned cyberpunk author, has captured international attention with his debut novel, “Digital Mirage: The Budapest Paradox,” earning him the prestigious Ambassador Trophy in 2025 Ebobea Book Awards international literary competition.
For Rabihi, storytelling has always been more than a creative outlet, it’s a bridge between reality and imagination. “Storytelling has always been my way of exploring both reality and imagination,” he explained in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN).
“My passion is to write about the intersection of technology, dreams, and human emotions to create worlds that reflect our struggles and our hopes for the future.”
A childhood shaped by cinema and art
The seeds of Rabihi’s creative vision were planted early. As a child, he found himself captivated by the magic of cinema and the grandeur of award ceremonies.
“Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by movies, cinema legends, and great award moments like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys,” he reminisces.
“They showed me the power of art to inspire and touch the world.”
His artistic influences extend beyond the silver screen. Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance master who epitomized the marriage of art and science, became a guiding light. “My idol Leonardo da Vinci taught me how creativity can bridge imagination and science,” Rabihi notes, recalling the connection between classical inspiration and futuristic storytelling.
Budapest: more than a setting
The inspiration for his award-winning novel came from an unexpected source, his two nephews and their love for virtual reality gaming. “They love playing with VR, and that gave me the spark to imagine the VAR Hub,” Rabihi explains. “This idea became central in my first book, Digital Mirage: The Budapest Paradox.”
The Hungarian capital holds such significance in his creative life that Rabihi immortalized it with a tattoo. “I even have a tattoo of Budapest, symbolizing how much it means in my life and work,” he shares, demonstrating the deep personal connection between place and narrative in his writing.
Carrying Morocco’s creative banner
For Rabihi, his international recognition carries weight beyond personal achievement. “I felt proud and honored to carry Morocco’s name into an international literary competition,” he says.
“Coming from a modest city like El Jadida, it means so much to me to show the world that Moroccan creativity can shine in futuristic and cyberpunk storytelling.”
This sentiment reflects a broader narrative of Moroccan artists breaking into global markets and challenging preconceptions about African and Middle Eastern contributions to speculative fiction.
Recognition beyond the page
The Ambassador Trophy represents more than literary success, it validates an unconventional path to authorship. “Winning the Ambassador Trophy feels like a recognition not only of my book, Digital Mirage: The Budapest Paradox, but also of my journey; years of work, self-education, and resilience,” Rabihi reflects.
His story challenges traditional notions of literary careers. “This award proves that even without a traditional academic path, with passion and imagination, you can still make a difference,” he argues, speaking to aspiring writers who may feel constrained by conventional educational or professional backgrounds.
A message of hope
To those harboring creative dreams while working in seemingly unrelated fields, Rabihi offers encouragement born from experience. “Don’t let your dreams fade away,” he urges dream-holders. “I started as a slot technician, but I never abandoned my childhood dream of writing. Today, I am a Moroccan cyberpunk author recognized internationally.”
His message is clear and powerful: “Your background doesn’t define your future; your imagination and determination do.”
