Casablanca, December 17, 2024
On Monday 16, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) hosted a seminar on “Palestinian Children’s and Youth Literature” as part of the second edition of the International Children and Youth Book Fair in Casablanca. Participants highlighted the pivotal role of storytelling in education and engaging with young people, especially in conflict-affected contexts.
The seminar featured the participation of Palestinian authors Ziad Khaddash and Fares Seba’neh, specialists in children’s literature, alongside Jerusalem-based visual artist Shihab Qawasmi, renowned for his illustrated storybook artwork. Joining them was Moroccan author Mohammed Redouane, author of The Jerusalem Notebooks series, which introduces children to the historical connection between Moroccans and Jerusalem.
The seminar participants underscored the need to support Palestinian children’s literature ,focusing on themes of hope and solidarity. They emphasized the importance of inspiring and constructive stories that provide children with optimistic prospects. Additionally, they called for the development of narratives that instill values of unity and resilience, while steering clear of harsh imagery that could negatively impact children’s imaginations and emotional well-being.
The guest speakers emphasized that literature enables children to embrace positive ideas and cultivate an optimistic outlook for the future.
Additionally, the event featured the launch of the second series of the Jerusalem Notebooks, an initiative undertaken by BMAQ aimed at showcasing the deep historical and cultural connections between Moroccans and the Holy City.
As part of the exhibition’s activities, the Agency launched the “Hayya” applications for children and youth, highlighting the virtues of Bayt Al-Maqdis. Moreober, it hosted a pre-release screening of the 3D animated series “The Five Keys of Jerusalem.”
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