Tahar Ben Jelloun, one of the greatest contemporary Francophone writers, was present at the Book Fair this Sunday morning to present the second volume in his novel series that began with Les Amants de Casablanca. Titled “Ils se sont tant aimés” (They Loved Each Other So Much), this new novel continues the story of a passionate and complex relationship between Nabil, an idealistic and humanist man, and Lamia, an ambitious businesswoman from Casablanca.

During the discussion moderated by Sanae Ghouati, the author emphasized that this is not merely a romance novel, but a literary work that reflects Moroccan society. Casablanca, chosen for its symbolic intensity and its contradictory modernity, serves as the backdrop for the narrative.

The novel also addresses sensitive political themes. Through the character of Nabil, who survives an assassination attempt, Ben Jelloun channels his own frustrations, particularly in response to the Palestinian question and criticism from former Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, whom he accuses of inciting hatred and misusing Islam for political purposes.

The novel deals with sensitive political topics. After Ben Jelloun spoke about the Palestinian question, he faced a wave of hate and violent threats. One of his main critics was Abdelilah Benkirane. Ben Jelloun accuses him of spreading hate and violence. In the book, Ben Jelloun expresses his frustration through the character of Nabil, who survives an assassination attempt. Nabil becomes a way for the author to share the anger and fear he felt during that time.

When asked about his writing style, Tahar Ben Jelloun advocates for literature that is clear, accessible, and free of pretension. When asked whether a third installment is in the works, he replied firmly: “There will be no third volume.”

The event was marked by sincerity, sharp insight, and a powerful literary commitment.