Marrakech African Book Festival 2026 to focus on imagination amid crisis of values

The Marrakech African Book Festival FLAM 2026 aims to re-evaluate perceptions and constructions of reality, positioning itself as an intellectual and poetic space. The fourth edition of FLAM emphasizes the importance of imagination in a time when the capacity to envision alternative social structures is diminishing. The festival seeks to reopen possibilities and reaffirm the role of imagination as a driver of transformation, using art, literature, and poetry to foster new approaches and narratives that challenge exploitative systems. Founded by Mahi Binebine, Fatimata Wane, Hanane Essaydi, and Younès Ajarraï, FLAM has become a key platform for African literature, bringing together writers, thinkers, and artists from the continent and its diasporas. The program includes literary meetings, debates, author dialogues, book presentations, writing workshops, master classes, and school interventions, with a focus on youth engagement. The festival also incorporates transdisciplinary elements, such as "Nocturnes" that blend literature with music, dance, and performance. Zoulikha Bouabdellah designed the festival's poster, exploring cultural exchanges and identity. Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, honorary president of FLAM, highlights literature's role in connecting human experiences across geographies. For three days, Marrakech will serve as a hub for ideas, celebrating the power of books for dialogue and freedom. FLAM is committed to promoting diverse African expressions, circulating w