A Moroccan writer gives his novel for free to encourage reading in the time of the Corona pandemic

Moroccan novelist Abdel Wahid Estito launched an individual cultural initiative to encourage reading in the time of Corona, which consisted of dedicating his novel “Just a millimeter away” (or Zahrlisa) to an unknown readership in Tangiers.

Under the hashtag # 10_Novels_10_Place, Esteto wrote on his Facebook page: “What is the idea? From time to time, I will leave a copy behind – with a dedication – in one of the public places in Tangiers, for a reader to take it … Who knows? This may be the beginning of his reading era … and most importantly … his love for Tangier!The writer emphasized that the current situation made him think of a method that does not depend on direct communication, through which he communicates his story to readers he does not know, explaining: “If the novel succeeded in invading the Facebook pioneers in their world, then the rest of the readers should have their share of this beautiful involvement. I know that some will throw the novel in the nearest garbage can, but I hope that other readers will find some fun in it under harsh conditions that everyone lives.Regarding the possibility of expanding the idea further, Estito added: “Of course, it will not be limited to 10 novels only … it is just a symbolic number. Also, the matter will not be limited to Tangiers, and will expand to include other cities later.”

It is noteworthy that Esteto recently issued the paper version of the novel “Al-Deebah” (the third interactive Facebook novel), and organized a unique signing ceremony suitable for the special situation in the country and the world, as it received readers sporadically, daily, from 12 to 2 pm, throughout A full week, while respecting the precautionary measures, in the Cherifa Cultural Cafe in Tangier.

It is also noteworthy that the novel “Just a millimeter away” is the first Arab “Facebook” novel, and in 2018 it won the Arab Creativity Award in Dubai.