Moroccan cities features in storytelling session at SIBF

The storytelling session “Areej in Morocco: Besieged by beauty” was done by none other than its author and graphic designer Hind Essadi, dressed in a traditional kaftan with a Moroccan flag cape thrown over it to give the right mix of magic and enchantment.

The bilingual, Arabic-English, storybook for children titled Areej’s journey around joyful Morocco illustrated by Hind herself transported the youngsters across the enchanting kingdom of Morocco in north Africa. It was a lesson in geography and history as Areej flew on a magic umbrella from the white city of Tetouan or the White Dove where the architecture is all white in a blend of Andalusian and Moroccan traits; to Ibn Battuta’s hometown Tangier and the Cave of Hercules overlooking the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea; to Chefchaouen, the ancient city with blue walls; to the city of knowledge called Fez and Al Qarawiyyin Mosque; to Maknasat Al Zaytoun; to Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco;  to Sale, fortified by ancient walls and separated from the capital Rabat by the Abou Regreg valley; to the Hassan Minaret in Rabat; and then to the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca. 

There are more cities that the umbrella took Areej, with a mix of Moroccan and French and Spanish architecture from the nation’s colonial days.

The children listened carefully and responded, and also told her the countries they came from – Syria, Iraq, Palestine, France and so on. And they went home wiser and better informed about a country and culture that is the Guest of Honour at SIBF 2024.

The 12-day cultural extravaganza, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, is themed ‘It Starts with a Book’, and has in store 1,357 activities for children and adults alike. It will come to a close on November 17 after playing host to 2,520 publishers from 112 countries.