The 2025 Marrakesh English Book Festival (MEBF) wrapped up in style, leaving behind a buzz of creativity, inspiration, and unforgettable moments. Held from January 17–19 at the iconic Dar El Bacha Museum of Confluences and co-hosted by the British Council in Morocco, this year’s festival brought together authors, artists, and audiences for a celebration of literature in English inspired by North Africa.
The weekend was filled with notable sessions, including discussions of their work by authors like Jane Green, Mhani Alaoui, and Jane Johnson who shared how the magic and history of Morocco inspired their writing. Other sessions opened conversations around the impact of Moroccan poetry, the power dynamics of translation, and the role of literature in bridging cultural differences. One of the most exciting moments was the session with the shortlisted authors for the Costa Goldex Book Award, which featured Mhani Alaoui and Ghita Ayase Ouamane discussing their work and the growing literary scene in Morocco.
Alongside these adult-focused events, the festival hosted a robust children’s program at Dar Bellarj. Young attendees had a blast with ESAV’s Drawing Workshop for Children, Hannah Ait Ahmed’s interactive storytelling session, and a fun Bollywood workshop led by Puneet Bhandal. These events, which also included a session on children’s book illustration and design, highlighted the festival’s commitment to nurturing creativity from a young age.
Check out some photos from this fantastic event — we can’t wait to see what the festival has in store for next year!
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