UAEBBY Showcases Children's Literature At Rabat International Book Fair 2025

Sharjah's participation as the Guest of Honour at the 30th Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair (RIBF 2025) highlighted its commitment to promoting reading among young generations. The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) showcased a vibrant programme, introducing the newly named International Children's Arabic Literature Award, sponsored by "e&," to visitors in Morocco's capital.

The UAEBBY pavilion attracted significant interest from children's publishing professionals eager to learn about the award and its participation criteria. The team provided insights into the award categories, judging process, and philosophy, which emphasises encouragement and excellence. This initiative aims to inspire more competition and elevate the quality of Arab children's literature.

Within Sharjah’s cultural programme, a panel discussion titled "Folk Tales Reimagined" celebrated an artwork display by Emirati and Moroccan illustrators. This exhibition reimagined traditional folk stories from both cultures using contemporary visual language. It aimed to revive cultural memory and foster artistic dialogue across generations.

Another panel discussion introduced the International Award for Arabic Children's Literature, focusing on its new identity. The session explored reasons for the name change and the need to expand into regional cultural markets like Morocco. Iman Mohammed from UAEBBY and Yasmine Al Kawakibi from the Moroccan Board on Books for the Young participated in this debate.

The third panel highlighted UAEBBY’s efforts through the "Once Upon a Time" programme in Morocco, developed with the Moroccan Board on Books for Young People. This initiative led to five libraries being established in local schools, each stocked with 200 carefully selected books for different age groups.

This discussion, moderated by Iman Mohammed with contributions from Nadia Al Najjar and Yasmine Al Kawakibi, focused on creating a learning environment that values reading as essential for knowledge acquisition. It also discussed how Arab partnerships can enhance school libraries.

Strengthening Global Connections

On the sidelines of RIBF 2025, UAEBBY hosted meetings with Moroccan and international publishers involved in children's culture. These discussions explored collaboration opportunities in translation, publishing, distribution, and potential joint events in the future.

The Moroccan edition of "Folk Tales Reimagined" was inaugurated by UAEBBY at the National Library of Morocco. This exhibition featured stunning artworks by Emirati and Moroccan illustrators who brought ancient folk tales to life through a modern visual approach.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, expressed excitement about participating in RIBF 2025 as part of Sharjah's pavilion. She stated that their involvement supports children's literature while expanding connections with Arab and global audiences. "It emphasises the importance of children's reading in instilling human values and bridging cultural divides," she said.

Al Aqroubi added that they aimed to introduce visitors to the International Children's Arabic Literature Award presented by 'e&', launched by UAEBBY to celebrate outstanding literary works for children. Their goal is to inspire writers, illustrators, and publishers to create content that enriches future generations' minds.

With inputs from WAM