The 30th International Book and Publishing Fair kicked off Friday in Rabat with a range of compelling panels spotlighting Sahrawi performing arts, the protection of personal data, and the urgent voices of Palestinian poets from Gaza.
Celebrating Sahrawi Performing Arts
In a panel dedicated to “Hassani Performing Arts”, artists, critics, and directors convened to assess the cultural gains achieved in Morocco’s Saharan regions. They emphasized the growing body of theatrical productions, television programming, and cinema emerging from the south, underlining the need for academic and critical engagement to elevate these art forms.
Director Aida Boui highlighted the evolution of Sahrawi cinema, tracing its beginnings to the launch of Laayoune TV in 2004. “The theater was the nucleus,” she said, “paving the way for audiovisual storytelling.” Boui cited foundational works, including “Hodaj Al-Domoue” by veteran filmmaker Hassan Kharr and “Arai Al-Doulma” by Ahmed Bido, as early cinematic milestones.
She stressed the importance of the 2015 creation of the Hassani Cinema Support Fund, though noted it remains insufficient. Boui credited the Desert Film Lab, led by filmmaker Hakim Belabbes and critic Hammadi Kairoum, for fostering a generation of directors and technicians, calling it “a revolutionary incubator for Sahrawi cinema.”
Despite these advancements, Boui noted persistent gaps in technical and scriptwriting skills, calling for strategic partnerships to further professionalize the industry and support a transition from “nomadic to urban” storytelling.
Actress and television star Aliya Touir echoed Boui’s sentiment, recalling how Sahrawi drama transitioned from sketch-like series to full-fledged Ramadan productions in recent years. “Now we see at least two series annually,” she said, “and the quality is improving across writing, performance, and production.” Touir also highlighted the success of the 2016 sitcom “Imara 36”, saying it marked a breakthrough in Sahrawi comedic television.
Data Privacy in the Digital Age
Another pivotal session, hosted by Morocco’s National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP), focused on the urgency of protecting citizens’ private information amid growing concerns over digital surveillance and data leaks.
Commission member Mohamed Bouden reaffirmed the CNDP’s mission to address citizen complaints, monitor institutional practices, and engage with media discourse. “Every individual harmed by data processing or leaks has the right to file a complaint,” Bouden said.
He underscored the threat posed by actors who exploit personal data for malicious purposes, emphasizing that “there is no freedom without security.” Bouden also reiterated the CNDP’s role in ensuring transparency, preserving citizens’ rights, and supporting Morocco’s investment climate by protecting business and banking data.
The commission plans regional and sectoral outreach campaigns to raise public awareness and instill a culture of data protection nationwide.
Poetry as Resistance: Voices from Gaza
A moving bilingual session unveiled “Is There Life Before Death?”, an anthology of poetry from Gaza curated by Moroccan poets Abdellatif Laâbi and Yassine Adnan. Featuring works by 26 Palestinian poets, the anthology was published in Arabic by Dar Al-Rafidain in Beirut and translated into French by Laâbi for Éditions Points.
The anthology was conceived in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led incursion and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza. “I felt paralyzed,” Laâbi said. “For the first time in over 50 years of writing, I had no words.”
Choosing to amplify Gazan voices rather than speak for them, Laâbi and Adnan gathered poems under siege and across borders. Two poets included in the collection — Nour Eddine Hajaj and Refaat Al-Ar’eer — were killed in Israeli strikes.
Adnan described a meticulous process of sourcing authentic, urgent poetry, often via social media. “We rejected cliché and easy sentiment,” he said. “We wanted fresh, raw voices — poetry written in emergency, not for effect.”
Among the featured poets is Alaa Al-Qutrawi, whose four children were killed in Israeli bombardments. One of them, Orchidea, inspired a symphony composed by Lebanese musician Marcel Khalifé.
As the session concluded, Adnan addressed Moroccan solidarity movements, rejecting the false dichotomy of “Taza before Gaza.” Instead, he affirmed, “We say Taza and Gaza, Marrakesh and Jericho — we live in plurality, and plurality is our foundation.”
A Dynamic Start
The first day of this year’s book fair showcased the power of literature, performance, and policy to reflect and shape cultural identity. From amplifying Sahrawi creatives and safeguarding citizen rights to honoring Palestinian resilience through poetry, the fair launched with a rich tapestry of voices and visions — setting the tone for a diverse and thought-provoking program ahead.
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