Rabat's literary scene will take centre stage next year as the Moroccan capital was recently designated by Unesco as the World Book Capital for 2026.
The honour is a tribute to the city’s role as a cradle of Morocco’s colourful literary culture − spanning grand institutions and organisations such as the National Archives and National Library, to popular bookstores run by families and even one particularly dedicated bibliophile.
More than simply exhibiting and selling books, these places – big and small – tell the story of a city where culture remains at its heart. Here are eight places to visit.
1. The National Library of Morocco
Located amidst the tree-lined boulevards and wide avenues of Rabat's Agdal district – long considered the city's academic quarter and home to major universities and institutions – the National Library of Morocco (Bibliotheque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc) boasts a collection reportedly exceeding 700,000 works that include rare manuscripts, historical local newspapers and maps.
Open to the public, many of these items are accessible for reading in the library's numerous reading rooms. Additionally, a 300-seat auditorium is available for hosting cultural events, including book readings, literary exhibitions and lectures.
2. National Archives of Morocco
Found on Avenue Ibn Battouta, the central road running through the Agdal district, the institution (also known as Archives du Maroc) was established in 2007 and opened to the public six years later. It is home to a treasure trove of documents from Morocco's French Protectorate period (during the early to mid 20th century), as well as a growing collection of works by Morocco's most influential authors, such as playwright Abdessamad Kenfaoui and Amazigh poet Brahim Akhiate.
3. Librairie Kalila Wa Dimna
The bookstore's rustic appearance belies its history and significance to the city. Opened in 1948 and located on Avenue Mohammed V, one of Rabat's oldest literary haunts continues to hold a variety of novels and children's books, as well as educational texts and business magazines.
Librairie Kalila wa Dimna is also a meeting spot for culture lovers, with books available in Arabic, French, English and Spanish. It is also used to host book launches and author discussions.
4. Librairie Basta
The family-run bookstore has been open since 1961 and has been the point of call for those seeking the latest novels or textbooks for the new school year. With floor-to-ceiling shelves and a rather Byzantine categorisation, it remains a beloved fixture of the city's cultural landscape.
5. The English Bookshop
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, The English Bookshop – located on the corner of Rabat-Ville Train Station – is reportedly described as Rabat's only bookstore solely dedicated to English readers, with selections ranging from novels and non-fiction works to academic books. As a result, it has become a gathering spot for Anglophiles and tourists, and if you take your time perusing the shelves, you may walk away with some rare out-of-print novels.
6. Bouquiniste El Azizi
A one-man cultural landmark, Mohamed Aziz is hailed as Rabat's oldest bookseller, having set up his small store amid the city's bustling souq in the Medina in 1967. Reportedly in his seventies, you can still find Aziz ensconced within his near 5,000-book collection – from vintage paperback novels to French classics – all amassed in piles whose categorisation is charmingly only known to him.
7. Place Bab El Had
Also known by locals as Joutia, meaning "retro marketplace", and located within Rabat's Medina, this open area is a haven for book lovers. It offers vintage novels and classic texts in various languages (I spotted some classic spy fiction gems by Jack Higgins and AJ Quinnell), as well as coffee table books and academic titles. Come with cash and be prepared to haggle.
8. Institut Francais de Rabat
A brisk walk from the Rabat Ville train station, the institute is one of the city's most active cultural hubs, featuring a library with more than 30,000 titles in French, Arabic and other languages, along with dedicated spaces for book signings and launches by Moroccan and French authors.
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
|
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Votes
Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
