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The program placed particular emphasis on introducing visitors and participants to the renamed International Children's Arabic Literature Award sponsored by "e&," revealed for the first time in Morocco’s capital.
Throughout its participation, UAEBBY was determined to engage with significant figures in the children's publishing sector — including publishers, authors, and illustrators, particularly from Morocco and the Arab world.
The council presented them with the new identity of the prize, aimed at increasing participation, while addressing their enquiries and allowing them the opportunity to examine the award-winning books and shortlisted works from the most recent cycle. This platform is intended to promote the quality of Arab children's literature and to inspire more excellence and competition in the sector.
Within the cultural programme, Sharjah’s pavilion presented a panel discussion titled "Folk Tales Reimagined," commemorating an artwork display jointly created by Emirati and Moroccan illustrators. The show reimagined old folk stories from both nations through a contemporary visual language rooted in the cultural history of the two societies. The session explored the impact of this initiative in reviving cultural memory and fostering artistic dialogue across generations, with the participation of Fatima Al Zahra from the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, illustrators Lamia Hamidout and Hind Kharifi from Morocco, and illustrators Rafia Al Nassar and Khalid Al Khawar from the UAE. Moderated by Majd Al Shehhi, a member of UAEBBY’s advisory board, the conversation shed light on the project’s interactive and aesthetic components, capable of connecting youngsters to their heritage through modern artistic expressions.
A second panel discussion was dedicated to introducing the International Award for Arabic Children's Literature. It elaborated on the new identity, which symbolises a significant leap in the award’s vision and role in boosting the Arab children's book sector. The discussion covered the reasons for the name change and the need to grow into regional cultural markets, especially Morocco, to encourage local publishers to join. Iman Mohammed from UAEBBY and Yasmine Al Kawakibi from the Moroccan Board on Books for the Young took part in the debate, underlining the significance of improving the quality of children’s literature and advancing publishing and distribution channels to enable wider accessibility.
The third panel complimented UAEBBY’s efforts to promote reading through the "Once upon a time" programme, undertaken in Morocco in conjunction with the Moroccan Board on Books for Young People. The effort resulted in the development of five libraries in local schools, each with 200 carefully picked books for various age groups. The discussion, moderated by Iman Mohammed and including Nadia Al Najjar and Yasmine Al Kawakibi, focused on the project's societal impact, particularly its achievement in establishing a learning environment that values reading as a fundamental knowledge and educational tool. It also featured student-relatable stories and discussed how dynamic Arab partnerships may boost school libraries.
The president of UAEBBY, Marwa Al Aqroubi, remarked, "We are thrilled to be part of the Sharjah pavilion as Guest of Honour at the Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair (RIBF 2025). Our participation in this prestigious cultural event continues UAEBBY's support for children's and young adult literature while also reaffirming our commitment to broadening connections with Arab and worldwide audiences. It emphasises the importance of children's reading in instilling human values and bridging cultural divides."
She added, "During our participation, we sought to introduce visitors and specialists to the International Children's Arabic Literature Award presented by 'e&', launched by UAEBBY to celebrate the finest literary productions for children and to inspire writers, illustrators, and publishers to provide content that uplifts the tastes and minds of future generations. We also aimed to strengthen creative dialogue and forge impactful connections with children's literature professionals, advancing our vision of bringing inspiring stories and books to every child, regardless of where they are, and opening up new avenues of collaboration with Moroccan and regional cultural institutions."
The UAEBBY pavilion drew a lot of attention, notably from children's publishing experts who were eager to learn more about the prize and its participation methods. The UAEBBY team offered clear explanations of the award categories, judging methodology, and philosophy, which focuses on encouragement and excellence. As a result, the fair became a vibrant platform for professional conversation, as well as a valuable opportunity to highlight the award's inspiring achievements recently.
On the margins of the event, UAEBBY hosted several professional meetings with Moroccan and international publishers and institutions involved in children's culture. These discussions covered opportunities for collaboration in translation, publishing, and distribution, as well as potential combined events in the near future. Such engagements opened up new possibilities for increasing the award's Arab presence and enabling better integration of regional efforts to improve children's reading. UAEBBY's involvement included the inauguration of the Moroccan edition of the "Folk Tales Reimagined" exhibition, which was held by the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco. The exhibition featured breathtaking artworks by Emirati and Moroccan illustrators who brought ancient folk stories to life with a new visual language. The effort served as a colourful model of cultural interaction, demonstrating the effectiveness of merging visual arts and folklore to improve children's cultural memories.
The initiative to distribute school libraries got a lot of attention. The "Once upon a time" project provided Moroccan schools with five libraries, each comprising 200 handpicked children's and young adult novels. This endeavour was complemented with reading and storytelling workshops supervised by UAEBBY and the Moroccan Board on Books for Young People, resulting in an environment that encouraged reading and learning while underlining the value of books in children's daily lives.
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