The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of prominent figures, including Panama’s ministers of Public Security, Culture, Education and Social Affairs, as well as the Deputy Minister in charge of Foreign Relations and Cooperation.
Also participating in the event were Morocco’s ambassador to Panama, Bouchra Boudchiche, and Ghizlane Drous, director of Books, Libraries and Archives at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
Covering an area of 135 square meters, the Kingdom’s pavilion offers a rich space of Moroccan publications in Spanish, as well as research papers and literary works on Morocco.
According to a press release from the Moroccan diplomatic mission, the Kingdom’s participation in this fair is the culmination of a growing cultural cooperation between Morocco and Panama. It also offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen exchanges and highlight Morocco’s contribution to enriching and consolidating intercultural dialogue, the press release added.
On this occasion, Panama’s ministers of culture and education, as well as the president of the Chamber of Books, praised the Kingdom’s diversity, age-old culture and rich literary, musical and artistic heritage, noting that this participation provides an opportunity to bolster cultural ties between the two countries.
Panamanian officials also highlighted that Morocco’s participation as guest of honor at this cultural event which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, fully embodies the fair’s motto, “Let’s start a dialogue.”
For her part, Boudchiche stated that Morocco’s participation in this fair reflects the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, focused on dialogue, cooperation and cultural exchanges, noting that the Kingdom, under the Sovereign’s leadership, places culture at the heart of its development project.
She also welcomed Morocco’s participation in the fair, which provides an opportunity to showcase Moroccan literary and artistic production, particularly that published in Spanish.
Boudchiche added that Morocco’s remarkable participation in this cultural event reflects the importance the Kingdom grants to its relations with the Republic of Panama, as well as its firm commitment to strengthening cooperation in various fields with this friendly country, particularly in the cultural sphere.
The opening ceremony featured Moroccan and Panamanian musical and artistic performances, including those by the Moroccan singer Nabyla Maân and a Gnaoua music group.
The Moroccan pavilion will also host educational activities for children, aimed in particular at bringing them closer to Moroccan culture and heritage, as well as artistic workshops designed to introduce young audiences to the symbols of Moroccan heritage through drawings and patterns inspired by zellige and traditional Moroccan embroidery.
This edition of the fair will also feature book signings by renowned Moroccan authors specializing in literature and Latin American studies.
The program also includes symposiums, round tables, and conferences led by Moroccan academics and intellectuals specializing in Spanish studies and Spanish and Latin American literature.
A conference-debate will also bring together the U.S. ambassador and the Moroccan ambassador to Panama, with a view to highlighting two and a half centuries of friendship and cooperation between the U.S. and Morocco.
The Moroccan program at the 21st Panama International Book Fair is organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, as well as the Kingdom’s Embassy in Panama, in collaboration with Panama’s Ministry of Culture and the Panamanian Book Chamber.
Editorial team/le7tv