Literary Roundtable Discusses Urban Reading Access in Casablanca
Authors and cultural organizers gathered on October 31, 2026, at the Palais du Méchouar in the Habous district of Casablanca for a panel discussion examining how to expand book access beyond traditional libraries and bookstores, [lematin.ma] reported. The event, titled “Thinking about the book at the heart of the city,” formed part of the second edition of the literary rentrée festival organized by the publication Le Matin.
Public Spaces and Youth Engagement
Panelists debated the shifting role of literature in Moroccan cities and the methods required to foster daily reading habits among younger populations. Writer and painter Mahi Binebine argued that public spaces have lost vital proximity venues like youth centers that historically introduced children to the arts. Despite this decline in infrastructure, Binebine rejected the notion that youth lack interest in reading, pointing to a recent garden gathering in Rabat where roughly one hundred young people discussed books and writing.
The Marrakech African Book Festival employs a similar outreach model by sending authors directly into schools and universities, alongside a high school literary prize that engages between 400 and 600 students in evaluating selected works.
Marc Bitton, co-organizer of the Mediterranean Encounters in Tangier, shared this view on public accessibility. He stated that literary events must seek out citizens in prominent public spaces rather than waiting for audiences to visit traditional cultural venues.
Managing Kiosks and Building Cultural Ecosystems
The operational realities of running public reading spaces were addressed through the example of the Book Club kiosks established in Casablanca and Mohammedia by Le Matin.
Haitami emphasized that public kiosks function as a complement to traditional public libraries rather than a replacement. He noted that libraries require active programming and community engagement to survive. Both Haitami and Binebine highlighted the need for specialized training to supply qualified staff for these cultural hubs, noting that an arts academy in Casablanca currently trains approximately 400 students in cultural management and animation.
Financing Sustainable Literary Projects
Funding remains a central hurdle for festival organizers and cultural managers attempting to maintain regular operations. Bitton pointed out the annual struggle to secure necessary resources for the Mediterranean Encounters in Tangier, suggesting that a network of festivals could help share expenses and attract financing.
Haitami argued that corporate sponsorship depends on project credibility, structured organization, and long-term planning. Meanwhile, Binebine highlighted economic models that treat culture as a productive activity, noting that art auctions held to support the Les Étoiles centers generate between 5 and 6 million dirhams toward an annual operating budget of roughly 12 million dirhams.
Addressing rural areas where literary access remains scarce, Binebine described an initiative that converts retired buses into mobile cultural units equipped with books and computers. Haitami added that Le Matin is developing additional kiosk projects in Mohammedia and Errachidia, utilizing local partners and digital tracking tools to manage sites remotely without building new permanent structures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Book Access in Morocco
What specific event hosted the Casablanca literary discussion?
The panel took place during the second edition of the literary rentrée festival organized by Le Matin at the Palais du Méchouar in Casablanca’s Habous district on October 31, 2026, [lematin.ma] reported.
What financial figures are associated with the Les Étoiles centers?
Operating the network costs about 12 million dirhams annually, with art auctions generating between 5 and 6 million dirhams of that total, according to figures shared during the panel.
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