Paris and Rabat deepen cultural diplomacy through shared initiatives

Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), is set to embark on a six-day official visit to Morocco from June 19 to 24, 2026. Invited by Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, this trip marks her first official engagement in the Kingdom since assuming leadership of the Paris-based institution in February.

The visit aims to solidify a joint cultural roadmap between the IMA and Moroccan authorities, building on months of bilateral exchanges. Legendre’s itinerary includes meetings in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, where she will engage with cultural institutions, foundations, and creative industry leaders to foster collaborative projects.

From dialogue to action: a structured cultural partnership

This visit follows a productive meeting in Paris between Legendre and Bensaid, held at the IMA headquarters. During their discussions, the two leaders outlined priorities for cooperation, focusing on emerging cultural sectors such as animation, comics, Arabic-language publishing, and film. These areas reflect a shared vision to enhance cross-cultural exchanges between France and Morocco.

Bensaid has emphasized the strategic importance of this cooperation, linking it to the broader momentum in Morocco-France relations since the state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat. The visit underscores the deepening ties between the two countries, particularly in cultural and creative domains.

A historic leadership shift at the IMA

Anne-Claire Legendre took the helm of the IMA on February 17, 2026, succeeding Jack Lang, who led the institution for 13 years. As the first woman to hold this position since the IMA’s founding in 1980, she brings a fresh perspective to the role. Prior to her appointment, she served as Advisor to the French President for North Africa and the Middle East, a role she stepped down from to lead the IMA.

The IMA itself was established under unique diplomatic circumstances, with its creation approved by the Arab League’s High Council on February 28, 1980. Morocco, alongside 18 other Arab states and France, contributed to its founding as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world.

Expanding horizons: beyond the IMA

This visit is part of a wider effort to strengthen cultural partnerships. In March 2026, Legendre met in Paris with Mehdi Qotbi, President of the Fondation nationale des musées, to explore collaboration opportunities. Qotbi framed these discussions within the context of the “Enhanced Exceptional Partnership” between Morocco and France, driven by the visions of King Mohammed VI and President Macron.

The upcoming visit to Morocco will translate these discussions into tangible outcomes, further cementing the cultural and creative collaboration between the two nations.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter