Manifesto

We are here to celebrate Darija

With its sweet and funny little words,

Those who heal the small wounds and hurts,

Those who soothe our hearts in exile,

And caress our childhood memories.

It all started with this land. This country.

This old, rich, vernacular language wrapping us all in its folds.

A language we fail to remember when we sail away from home.

And yet, keeps springing up unexpectedly like a constant reminder to oneself.

A mother tongue, that of the original love.

To play, to wonder, to laugh, to escape,

To stop the time,

To welcome the gentle caress of Mima,

To kiss Ba Sidi’s wrinkled cheeks,

To tenderly embrace Dada’s palm.

Because our books are not only books. They are stories. Our stories. Yours. Those of our children.

So we have made it our mission. Our Manifesto.

Birth them into life. In full sounds and colours.

Out of duty, and love.

Mostly out of love.